With the top two spots confirmed (Manchester City and Arsenal) the remaining two are still up for grabs. Newcastle and Manchester United seem to be the firm favorite but there is a chance for Liverpool to enter the Champions League spot if any of those two teams slip up and Liverpool continue their excellent run of form.
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Liverpool’s Run of Form:
Liverpool currently have won 7 out of their last 10 Premier League matches with the remaining 2 being draws against Arsenal & Chelsea and a loss against Manchester City. They last dropped any points against Arsenal on 9th April. Liverpool will seem to be the strong favorites seeing the run of form they are in but Aston Villa have a resurgence of their own coming since Unai Emery was appointed as the head coach.
Aston Villas Resurgence:
Since Unai Emery was appointed after the sacking of Steven Gerrard only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have won more points than Aston Villa. They were lingering around the relegation zone of the table but currently, they sit at 8th just behind Tottenham just the goal difference in between them and the UEFA Conference League spot.
Aston Villa are in shout for a place in European Competition if they are able to beat Liverpool and by any chance Tottenham fail to bring out all three points from their game against Brentford today. They will be hoping to get out of Anfield with a positive result.
History of the Fixture:
Liverpool have won 9 out of the last 10 games when these two teams met in the Premier League with the only loss coming at Villa Park. Unai Emery has lost the last 6 games when he was in charge of a team playing against Liverpool.
Liverpool: WWWW
Aston Villa: WLLW
The fixture will be played at Anfield
The game is important for both teams as they look forward to different European spots. Both the teams will be hoping for a win which will decide how the season will be judged for them. Liverpools presence in the Champions League will define which talents the are able to bring into the club with the squad needing a rehaul in the midfield department and many senior player’s contracts expiring.
Last game at Anfield for Firmino, Milner, Chamberlin, and Keita:
It will be a farewell match for Firmino, Milner, Chamberlin, and Keita at Anfield as Liverpool has already confirmed that their contracts will not be renewed at the end of the season.
Firmino: After 360 appearances and 109 goals for the club Firmino will be saying goodbye to Liverpool in a press conference he stated “I will miss everything…,” “My teammates, the club, the fans, especially the fans. I love the fans – they’ve supported me a lot through these eight years. I am so proud of what we achieved here together. For everything that the club did for me and for my family, I’m so happy.” He further stated “I am trying to focus on the game…,” “But after it, I will cry 100%.” Firmino will be fondly remembered at Anfield, he won six trophies at Liverpool which includes a Champions League and Premier League title as well.
Keita: He was a club record £52.75m signing in 2018 from RB Leipzig but has started only 49 Premier League games since joining. He won six trophies at Liverpool which includes a Champions League and Premier League title as well.
Chamberlain: He has himself suffered a career plagued with injuries at Anfield after he moved from Arsenal in a 35 million deal in 2017. He won six trophies at Liverpool which includes a Champions League and Premier League title as well.
Milner: Milner joined Liverpool from Manchester City in 2015. Milner turned 37 and will be leaving at the end of the season. He won six trophies at Liverpool which includes a Champions League and Premier League title as well.