sport news Liverpool may have to rely on bitter rivals Man United beating Man City to hand ...

For the first time since December 7, Liverpool do not have their destiny in their own hands when it comes to the Premier League title race.

That was the last time their title rivals Manchester City were ahead of them with both teams having played the same number of fixtures.

After a weekend that saw City win 1-0 at Bournemouth and Liverpool held goalless by Everton in the Merseyside derby, Pep Guardiola's side lead by a point with nine games left to play.

It means that Liverpool are now relying on City dropping points at some point between now and the final day of the season on May 12 if they are to win a first championship since 1990.

We chart, week-by-week, where both title contenders could slip up during what promises to be a thrilling finale.

NB All fixtures listed are subject to change 

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool no longer have their title destiny in their own hands after Sunday's goalless draw with Everton, which saw them fall a point behind rivals Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool no longer have their title destiny in their own hands after Sunday's goalless draw with Everton, which saw them fall a point behind rivals Manchester City

Manchester City came away from Bournemouth with a precious three points on Saturday

Manchester City came away from Bournemouth with a precious three points on Saturday

With nine matches remaining, City are in the box seat with a one-point lead over Liverpool

With nine matches remaining, City are in the box seat with a one-point lead over Liverpool

MARCH 9/10

Saturday March 9 - Man City vs Watford (5.30pm); Sunday March 10 - Liverpool vs Burnley (12pm)

A weekend that should see both City and Liverpool pick up maximum points to preserve the present one-point gap.

City are highly likely to move four points clear on the Saturday evening when they host Watford, though the Hornets are enjoying a very good season and may take a little bit of breaking down.

Liverpool have the opportunity to respond when they host Burnley at Anfield on the Sunday lunchtime and it's hard to imagine them gaining anything less than maximum returns.

Prediction: 1st Man City 74pts; 2nd Liverpool 73pts

MARCH 17

Fulham vs Liverpool (2.15pm)

With City travelling to Swansea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, Liverpool have the opportunity to re-take top spot.

They travel to a Fulham side who look pretty much certain to be relegated and this should be a comfortable three points for Jurgen Klopp's men.

Prediction: 1st Liverpool 76pts; 2nd Man City 74pts - City have a game in hand

Mohamed Salah takes on Fulham's Maxime Le Marchand during their meeting at Anfield 

Mohamed Salah takes on Fulham's Maxime Le Marchand during their meeting at Anfield 

MARCH 30/31

Saturday March 30 - Fulham vs Man City (12.30pm); Sunday March 31 - Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur (4.30pm)

It's pretty much a dead cert that Pep Guardiola's side will bounce straight back to the top after the international break with their own win at Fulham on the Saturday lunchtime.

Liverpool face the much tougher test of the weekend when they entertain Spurs on the Sunday afternoon and though Mauricio Pochettino's men aren't as in-form as they could be, they could well pinch a draw.

At this point, City's superior goal difference will see them top.

Prediction: 1st Man City 77pts; 2nd Liverpool 77pts - City have a game in hand

Liverpool's Naby Keita and Tottenham's Harry Kane during the Reds' 2-1 win at Wembley

Liverpool's Naby Keita and Tottenham's Harry Kane during the Reds' 2-1 win at Wembley

APRIL 5/6

Friday April 5 - Southampton vs Liverpool (8pm); Saturday April 6 - Man City vs Cardiff (12.30pm)

There is every chance City will be involved in a FA Cup semi-final this weekend but for the sake of simplicity, let's say they're in league action as originally scheduled.

Liverpool play first over this weekend, and should take all three points off Southampton at St Mary's.

But expect their advantage to again be short-lived, with City giving their goal difference a healthy boost against Cardiff on the Saturday lunchtime.

Prediction: 1st Man City 80pts; 2nd Liverpool 80pts - City have a game in hand

APRIL 14

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (2.05pm); Liverpool vs Chelsea (4.30pm)

This could well prove the pivotal afternoon in the title

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