Sunday’s enthralling encounter at the Etihad is the most spectacular of the season so far as the two major forces battle for supremacy in English football
Sunday’s enthralling encounter at the Etihad is the most spectacular of the season so far as the two major forces battle for supremacy in English football
Jurgen Klopp says he is preparing to face the “best team in the world” when Liverpool and Manchester City can decide on a Premier League title destination.
Sunday’s enthralling encounter at the Etihad is the most spectacular of the season so far as the two major forces battle for supremacy in English football.
Only one point separates the pair, with Liverpool – 14 points behind City at one stage – constantly hunting down their rivals.
Elsewhere, Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham and Manchester United will renew their fight to finish in the top four, which guarantees entry into next season’s Champions League.
liverpool i city robbery
Manchester City have barely stumbled in their quest for a fourth Premier League crown in five years but have dropped a few points here and there to allow Liverpool back in the title race.
Klopp’s men, chasing an unprecedented quadruple trophies this season, are breathing down City’s neck after a 10-game winning run in the league.
The German knows his side cannot afford to lose at the Etihad – where they have not won in the league since 2015 – but he does not think a win in Manchester will be decisive.
“If you win against City, which is already tough enough, I think nobody will think, ‘Okay, it’s settled’ because of the quality of the opponent,” he said.
“We play against the best team in the world now, that’s it, but we’ll try it anyway.”
The two sides meet in next week’s FA Cup semi-finals in a season-defined period for both, but for now all eyes are on the Etihad.
tottenham sharp shooter
A 5-1 win at home to Newcastle last week propelled Spurs into the top four and remained there the next day as Arsenal lost 3-0 at Crystal Palace.
Antonio Conte’s side have scored 21 goals in their last six league games, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min leading their charge.
The Italian knows Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa will not be easy for Steven Gerrard’s side despite a dwindling fortune.
Conte said his men would consider their last eight league games as eight finals, “continuing to dream of finishing in the Champions League this season”.
Spurs are only three points behind Manchester United in seventh place, with matches against Liverpool and Arsenal yet to come.
It is likely to be tight, but the Spurs boast serious firepower and that could be enough to get them over the line.
Lampard’s Everton is running out of time
In desperate need of a win, Everton misfired Manchester United at Goodison Park.
Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to rivals Burnley left the Goodison Park club just one point ahead of Shaun Dyche’s side with nine games to play.
Frank Lampard has now lost seven of his nine league games and fears are growing that the club may trade outside the top flight next season for the first time since 1954.
The former Chelsea boss has told his players to use injury late Wednesday’s loss but will be concerned Burnley will take Norwich down this weekend.
“Manchester United will be a completely different game at Goodison, with a sense of the pressure on him now,” Lampard said.
“We can’t pretend it didn’t happen (Wednesday). We have to use this as a positive, which means staying on the sidelines until Saturday, on the good side. We know what’s in the game. We at Goodison believe in ourselves.”
fixtures
Friday: Newcastle v Wolves
Saturday: Everton v Manchester United, Arsenal v Brighton, Southampton v Chelsea, Watford v Leeds, Aston Villa v Tottenham
Sunday: Brentford v West Ham, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Norwich v Burnley, Manchester City v Liverpool