Three days in the Premier League title race: Sights and sounds as Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal battle for glory

Leaders Liverpool, champions Manchester City and in-form challengers Arsenal headed into last weekend's fixtures having each played 26 games and won 18 in the Premier League in 2023/24.

Liverpool had 60 points as they prepared to face Nottingham Forest, with City on 59 before the Manchester derby against United and Arsenal 58 prior to visiting bottom club Sheffield United.

The Sporting News was in attendance to witness those three games over three consecutive days, taking in the sights and sounds of the battle for glory.

Saturday, March 2. City Ground, Nottingham. 14:44 GMT

Jurgen Klopp is into his familiar if still slightly odd routine, standing tall around the halfway line and staring intently at the opposition warm-up. There are familiar faces in the Nottingham Forest squad for him to gaze upon. Neco Williams and Taiwo Awoniyi were on Liverpool's books, while one-time Anfield cult hero Divock Origi has been recalled to the hosts' starting lineup, having failed to score all season. Title races are often unable to resist such daring narrative flourishes.

Klopp's routine was briefly thrown out by Liverpool's team bus arriving a touch late to this throwback old ground nestled on the banks of a River Trent that looks full to bursting. Watery sunshine cloaks the warm-ups but by kickoff driving rain will provide a menacing backdrop, along with the full-throated locals who fancy a big scalp.

⚽Forest v Liverpool