D-Day in the title race
Unfortunately from a Liverpool perspective, I just can’t see either side losing points.
City’s draw with West Ham gave Liverpool some hope but I think that was more down to West Ham being a good side than City wobbling. It was always going to be a tricky game.
Pep Guardiola’s side can always score five in any game and could turn Sunday against Villa into a massive celebration if they’re in the mood.
Salah and Van Dijk both came off in the Cup final for Liverpool, but I’m not sure they’d have been risked on Sunday because I look at players like Konate, Matip, Tsimikas, Milner, they all come in and do well when needed.
With Real Madrid to come next week, Jurgen Klopp can switch around his team and still get a win against Wolves, it just won’t be enough to win the Premier League.
But if Liverpool win the Champions League, adding it to the League Cup and FA Cup, that will be an absolutely incredible season.
With City being so good, it’d be cruel if they were to finish the season with nothing. They’ve been amazing.
I know Liverpool fans really want the league title because they’ve had it just once in thirty-odd years, and the Quadruple would be something that’s never been done – it’d be incredible to see – but I can’t see it happening on Sunday.
Gerrard centre-stage
The way Steven Gerrard is, I know he’s a real professional.
His job is with Villa now, his concern won’t be Liverpool at the moment. That’s just how he is.
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During the game I’ve no doubt he’ll do everything he can for Villa to win because that’s his job.
Afterwards, I think he might have a little grin if his side can make Liverpool supporters happy with a result against City.
And he might even have a nice glass of Champagne to celebrate when he gets home!
Top 4 Tottenham’s to lose
Strange things can happen in football but I can’t see Spurs messing up at Norwich on the final day.
For Arsenal, it’ll be a huge disappointment to finish fifth, but I wouldn’t have the knives sharpening for Arteta because of it. He took over a sinking ship and turned it around.
Aubameyang might be banging in goals for Barcelona now but I liked the way Arteta dealt with that situation. He said “I’m not having this” and showed he’s the boss.
He’s given the club hope again.
They’ve a good manager now and there’s something to build on next season.
And it could still twist again. The reason there’s been so many turns in the top four chase is because all the teams around it have been so inconsistent.
It wouldn’t be that surprising if something ridiculous happened on the final day, but Tottenham are strong favourites and I think they’ll get the job done.
Getting back in the Champions League would be huge for Spurs. Antonio Conte’s come in and done an incredible job because it looked like a nightmare season – I watched them lose to Mura in the Europa Conference!
But he turned it around.
If he’s given the money to spend they can really kick on. He’s an emotional manager, and a lot of managers haven’t been allowed to spend as they like there, but they could be a force if he’s given a chance.
They’ll need to keep their top players as well – making the top four will be a huge boost to that – but Bentacur and Kulusevki have shown what he can do given the resources.
Final day relegation woes
I was suspended for the final day of the season when Southampton went down in 2005. The game was against Man United. No one gave us a hope and it was terrible to have to sit there and watch it.
We were in the game as well, which made it even tougher when we lost.
That’s what it’s going to be like for the fans of Leeds and Burnley on Sunday.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: A Leeds United fan reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Derby County at Elland Road on September 21, 2019 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
It’s great if you’re a neutral – it’s exactly what we want because there’s so much at stake – but if you’re involved in it there’s nothing worse.
It just means so much.
And all the games being played at the same time just can create absolute chaos at the top and the bottom of the table
Everton are safe now – that’s a huge relief for them.
It’s so tough to call between Burnley and Leeds
Leeds made the right call to switch managers. Bielsa was very stubborn in his approach and it was quite obvious it wasn’t working.
Jesse Marsch has given them a chance of surviving but, with Burnley surging since Sean Dyche left, it looks like it might be too little too late.
I think they’ve enough quality to bounce back in the Championship next season if they can hold on to their players.