How both Brendan Rodgers and Rafa Benitez could affect Liverpool title charge on same weekend

Rodgers back in the Premier League with Liverpool hoping for a favour at the end of the season.
AFP/Getty Images
Tony Mogan27 February 2019

Two former Liverpool managers could have a pivotal role in deciding whether the Premier League title is heading to Anfield in May.

The battle for the title is expected to drag out until the final weeks of the season with Liverpool and second place Manchester City showing no signs of running out of steam.

Both sides have huge games on the horizon, with third place Tottenham still to visit both the Etihad and Anfield in March and April. But Liverpool will hope for favours from two former men in charge during the penultimate weekend of the season.

On the weekend beginning Saturday May 4, Liverpool travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle, led by Reds favourite Rafa Benitez.

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Liverpool | 24/02/2019

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Rafa has already dished out one good deed to his former club in beating City in February, a result that momentarily offered real daylight between the title rivals.

Benitez will get a central role again during that potentially decisive weekend – but Liverpool supporters will be hoping the man who almost led them to the title in 2014 can also provide a helping hand.

Liverpool fixtures

Watford (H) February 27
Everton (A) March 3
Burnley (H) March 10 
Fulham (A) March 17
Tottenham (H) March 31 
Southampton (A) April 6
Chelsea (H) April 13 
Cardiff (A) April 20
Huddersfield (H) April 27
Newcastle (A) May 4
Wolves (H) May 12 

Brendan Rodgers was unveiled as the new Leicester City boss on Tuesday and after a dour end to Claude Puel’s spell in charge, there is plenty of optimism back at the King Power Stadium.

City welcome Leicester to the Etihad on that penultimate weekend for a match that could decide whether the Premier League trophy remains in Manchester.

City have already lost to Leicester this season back in December.

Manchester City fixtures

West Ham (H) February 27
Bournemouth (A) March 2
Watford (H) March 9
Manchester United (A) March 16 
Fulham (A) March 30
Cardiff (H) April 6 
Crystal Palace (A) April 13 
Tottenham (H) April 20
Burnley (A) April 27
Leicester (H) May 4
Brighton May 12 

Given their one point advantage at the top of the league, Liverpool hold their title fate in their own hands for the time being.

But one or two favours from old friends along the way wouldn’t go amiss.

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