With only three games of their 2021-22 season left to play, Liverpool are still in with a shout of winning an unprecedented quadruple.
Jurgen Klopp’s squad has already hoovered up both domestic trophies, beating Chelsea on penalties after 0-0 draws in regulation and extra time in the Carabao and FA Cups, are keeping pressure on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and have a date with destiny with Real Madrid to look forward to.
Before attentions switch to the Champions League final in Paris at the end of the month, though, Liverpool’s primary focus is on trying to overhaul City in the league.
The Reds are four points behind their title rivals heading into the league’s final round of fixtures on Sunday but can reduce that deficit to one with a victory against Southampton at St Mary’s on Tuesday night.
More from Football
Liverpool are strong favourites to get the victory against a team that has lost seven of its past 10 league matches, winning only once, but Klopp has admitted that he will have to make changes following Saturday’s gruelling FA Cup final.
Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah have been ruled out after picking up knocks against Chelsea, although Klopp is hopeful that both will be able to return for the final day fixture against Wolves.
Other potential absentees against Southampton include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane, all of whom may drop down to the bench.
Should a rotated Liverpool team prove too strong for Saints, the title race will go right down to the wire and the red half of Merseyside will be hoping that Steven Gerrard can do his boyhood club a favour when Aston Villa travel to the Etihad.
As it stands
- Man City – P37, W28, D6, L3, GD +72, Pts 90
- Liverpool – P36, W26, D8, L2, GD +65, Pts 86
Remaining fixtures:
Tuesday 17 May
Southampton vs Liverpool
Sunday 22 May
Liverpool vs Wolves
Man City vs Aston Villa
Gerrard’s Aston Villa face the daunting task of facing City on their own turf, but should they pull off an unlikely upset, Liverpool could sneak the title on the final day.
Liverpool’s task is clear: They must win their remaining fixtures against Southampton and Wolves and rely on City to drop points against Villa.
Given the points gap, it is unlikely that away goals will come into play but it is not impossible.
If Liverpool beat Southampton and then draw against Wolves at Anfield and City lose against Villa, the title would be determined on goal difference. As it stands, City have an advantage of seven goals.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/fRyU7Mm
Post a Comment