Brendan Rodgers' Top-2 Target Hinges on Liverpool's Next 2 Huge Fixtures

"Manchester City's result at the weekend gives us an opportunity to finish second," said Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after his side's 1-0 win at Swansea City on Monday night, per BBC Sport. "Our mentality, the run and confidence we have at the moment we're just going to take that into every game and see where it takes us."

The victory in south Wales moved Rodgers' Reds to two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, whom they face at Anfield on Sunday. A win in that match would see them leapfrog their rivals and move into the top four for the first time this season.

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Indeed, owing to Man City's surprise defeat at Burnley on Saturday, Liverpool are now just four points behind last season's champions—quite a turnaround considering they were 17 points behind City on New Year's Day.

Discounting table-topping Chelsea, the other side above Liverpool currently occupying a top-four place are Arsenal, whom Liverpool face in their next match after Man United.

"The target is to finish as high as we can," says Rodgers.

Any possibility of a second-place finish for the second year in a row will hinge on these next two fixtures, after which they have the small matter of an FA Cup quarter-final replay. This is the start of a make-or-break run for Rodgers' side.

Having picked up 33 points from the last 39 available in the Premier League and 13 games unbeaten, Liverpool have the momentum and belief to carry on their impressive form even under the pressure of these forthcoming fixtures.

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The games against United and Arsenal, their competitors for a place among the top four, will be tests of their mental strength and ability to handle pressure. They will be their biggest Premier League games since Chelsea came to Anfield and ruined their title pursuit last April.

These games will require calm heads and ruthlessness in front of goal. They will also require the managerial nous that was demonstrated by Rodgers in the Swansea win. The Northern Irishman completely changed the flow of the game with his half-time change in midfield shape.

We've seen Rodgers make mistakes with his selections and in-game management this season, but lately, he has been making changes to positively impact the outcome for the Reds. He appears to be learning what it takes to win key games, and he needs to show that in these next two fixtures.

Should Liverpool come out of those games against United and Arsenal with four (or six) points, they will be firm favourites for a top-four finish. They then have a more favourable run of games against Newcastle United, Hull City, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.

Their final three games of the season provide an opportunity to exorcise the ghosts of 2013/14, with Chelsea and Crystal Palace the opponents in the third-from-last and penultimate games of the campaign, just as they were last season (with home-away flipped).

That could leave Man United and Arsenal scrapping it out for the final Champions League spot when they go head-to-head.

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Here are Liverpool's remaining fixtures, what position do you reckon they will finish? #LFC #EPL pic.twitter.com/zW5O5GnHOE

— Ball Street (@BallStreet) March 17, 2015"

Of course, should Liverpool struggle and not pick up three points in either of these next two fixtures, they may find themselves looking over their shoulders to Southampton and Tottenham behind them—both currently four points behind but both with favourable fixtures in their next two.

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The objective for Liverpool is clear: Ensure they are buoyant and in-form after these next two fixtures. Then, they may even start looking at the Manchester derby as a game they want United to win in order for Liverpool to get even closer to Man City.

For now, talk of a potential second-place finish must be put aside. The focus must be these next two fixtures.