With only two points separating the first and fourth ranked teams in the Premier League, even a slightest of mistake could eliminate a team from this year’s title race and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is well aware of the fact.

His team is currently leading the title race after taking 26 points from games. Looking like one of the most dangerous teams in the league, the Reds have shown the form which can end their long wait for a league title. However, their promising campaign can be derailed after they were handed a tough schedule during the Christmas period.

The Merseyside club will have to play two Premier League games in just under 48 hours. After hosting Manchester City on New Year’s Eve (31 December, 5:30pm), Klopp’s men will travel to Sunderland on January 2 (3pm).

The Liverpool manager even requested the FA to have the game against Sunderland pushed to a late kick-off but to no avail.

Furious at the announcement, Klopp said:“Forty-eight hours between two games – how does this work?”

“How do you prepare a team for this? Do you say ‘only 50 per cent against City because we have Sunderland on Monday.”

Liverpool’s title rivals Manchester City are also facing a similar fate as they face Burnley on January 2 after playing the Reds on December 31. On the other hand, Chelsea have more than four days between their two New Year games as after hosting Stoke City on New Year’s eve, they travel to play Tottenham Hotspur on January 4.

Meanwhile, the high-flying Reds would look to continue their title charge when they travel to St Mary’s to take on Southampton on Saturday. The Saints have lost their last two games in the league and will have to be at their best to stop the in-form visitors. However, Liverpool might face some problems in the tie as their star midfielder has been ruled out of the fixture after sustaining an injury in England’s friendly against Spain.