Peter Crouch: Luis Diaz signing has been key to Liverpool Quadruple bid

What an impact he's had

Liverpool hopes for City dropped points

I can’t see Newcastle troubling Man City this weekend, but they have to play West Ham and Aston Villa in their last two games.

The Hammers away is always a tricky game, even if they’ve little to play for, but you wouldn’t bet against Stevie G coming up trumps on the last day of the season for his old team.

A few fans have even said to me they can see Philippe Coutinho scoring an 89th-minute winner for Villa!

That would be something special.

Klopp Changes

If you had the Champions League final tomorrow, Luis Diaz would start with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.

He’s given Liverpool a new lease of life.

The fact the quadruple is still on is down to him. It’s not just his performances, but his attitude, it really feels like he’s lifted the place and the fans.

In a time when Liverpool weren’t playing their red-hot best, Diaz came in and it felt like the whole team’s play went up. He’s had such a big impact.

Don’t Miss Crouchy’s 9/1 Bet Builder for Man City v Newcastle

I’m sure Klopp will make changes from the Champions League team at the weekend too. Whoever comes in seems to play just as well as those he leaves out.

The likes of Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, I could see some of them feature on Saturday. James Milner might make an appearance too.

He’ll still have a strong side out but I can definitely see him making changes.

Arsenal supporters wave team flags prior to the UEFA Europa League final football match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijian, on May 29, 2019. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Top Four tussle

Arsenal look the favourites for the top four now. They’re definitely in the driving seat as they’re two points ahead of Spurs now, but those two teams have been so inconsistent this season.

Everyone below Man City and Liverpool looks capable of losing any game it seems.

Fourth will come down to whoever’s the least inconsistent rather than one side grabbing it.

And with the North London derby coming up next week, you’d think if someone can win that it could be decisive.

Relegation scrap

They’re playing Leeds this weekend, who have somehow slipped back into the relegation dogfight.

It’s so tough to call down there now.

You’d think Everton have enough. They’ve a game in hand that could be massive, and there are points to be grabbed in their remaining fixtures, with Leicester, Watford, Brentford and Palace to play.

Burnley looked all but dead and buried but they’ve had a huge resurgence too, while Leeds are playing Arsenal and Chelsea next, then Brighton and Brentford on the last day of the season. They’re some massive games.

The manager’s come in there and got a reaction from the players to his system, and by all accounts he made a positive impression when he walked through the door so that gives them a chance but it’s so tough to pick who’ll survive at this stage.

BERN, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United gestures during the UEFA Champions League group F match between BSC Young Boys and Manchester United at Stadion Wankdorf on September 14, 2021 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Ronaldo to stay… for now

Man United are enriched if they have Cristiano Ronaldo, but there is a huge rebuilding process needed there now.

A new manager may not see him in their long-term plans but, at a club like Man United, there are long term plans and then there’s winning your first few games.

You need to stay in the job to have a long-term plan.

People expect success straight away at United and Ronaldo can give you that.

Ronaldo’s 37 now and it’s amazing that he’s still in with an outside chance of being top goalscorer in the Premier League this season. It’s incredible really.

But he’s not going to be the future.

If you’re going to rebuild, you can still get a top season out of him and he can score some crucial goals, but he’s not the long-term answer.

If a new manager is coming in with a new plan, you could look at changing things, but I still think you can get another season out of him as he’s still a top player.

Ronaldo is an asset to anyone’s squad.

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