Form, fitness and fine margins – the big tests for Liverpool and Manchester City

Liverpool and Manchester City remain on course for a potentially trophy-laden end to the season with both clubs still in contention for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Jurgen Klopp’s side already have one piece of silverware in the cabinet following February’s Carabao Cup win so they have the chance to complete an unprecedented quadruple.

The pair meet in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley and ahead of that fixture, the PA news agency assesses the state of their respective bids for success.

Not even Klopp thinks it is likely. Although they have cruised through to a Champions League semi-final against Villarreal, the least-fancied team of the last four, there remains much work to be done on the other fronts. City at Wembley on Saturday will be possibly their toughest test, having played out an enthralling 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. They remain one point behind City in the title race and so effectively have to win all their last seven matches – including games against Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham – and hope Pep Guardiola’s side slip up.

Last weekend’s draw against Liverpool left them in control of their own destiny in the title race. Manager Pep Guardiola admitted the result did leave their rivals “alive” but, with what appears an easier run-in, they have to be favourites. First, however, they face Liverpool again in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend and there could be a third meeting with the Reds in quick succession in the Champions League final if they overcome Real Madrid.

Despite some sketchy, scratchy performances of late – the City draw notwithstanding – Klopp’s side have momentum with them. Although they are not struggling for goals, they could do with Mohamed