City, Liverpool turn attention back to Premier League shootout
Manchester City and Liverpool must quickly turn their focus from Champions League glory to the batle for the Premier League title, with no room for error in tricky away trips on Saturday.
City, who hold a one-point advantage at the top of the table with five games remaining, travel to Leeds, who are also in need of the points to guarantee survival.
Liverpool can go top for a few hours at least if they win at Newcastle, but the Magpies have won their last six home games to storm into the top half of the table since beginning to splash the cash of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in January.
The Premier League’s top two remain on course to end their season with another showdown in the Champions League final ater seeing off Spanish opposition in contrasting fashion in midweek.
City should have put Real Madrid out of sight in a thrilling 4-3 win over the 13-time European champions, while Goliath got the beter of David as Liverpool beat Villarreal 2-0. Champions League considerations could play a major role in the team selection of both title contenders.
Jurgen Klopp gave Liverpool fans even more cause for celebration by extending his contract at Anfield for a further two years to 2026 on Thursday.
The German, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2024, said he was “delighted, humbled, blessed” to be staying for an extra two years.
“There is just so much to love about this place,” he said. “I knew that before I came here. I got to know it even beter ater I arrived and now I know it more than ever before.
“Like any healthy relationship, it always has to be a two-way street; you have to be right for each other. The feeling we were absolutely right for each other is what brought me here in the first place and it’s why I’ve extended previously.”
He added: “When the owners brought the possibility to renew to me, I asked myself the question I’ve mused over publicly -- ‘Do I have the energy and vibe to give of myself again what this amazing place requires from the person in the manager’s office?’
“I didn’t need too long to answer in truth. The answer was very simple...i’m in love with here and I feel fine!”
Klopp’s quote echoes the new chant to the tune of The Beatles song “I Feel Fine” -- dedicated to the Reds boss.
However, the German is far from happy at the scheduling of a lunchtime kick-off just three days ater a Champions League semi-final.
“It’s brutal but it’s fine. It’s the best situation you can have,” said Klopp.
“Just go for the next one and try to play the best football you can.”
City boss Pep Guardiola has a tough balancing act in selecting his side for what is expected to be an energy-sapping visit to Elland Road before their blockbuster return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
‘BEST IN THE WORLD’: Leeds are unbeaten in five games, but are just five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of a tough run-in, with Arsenal and Chelsea to come ater the visit of City.
“I think it is the ultimate test,” said Leeds manager Jesse Marsch. “I’m very honest when I say that I think they are the best team in the world.”
Everton have a game in hand to cut the gap on Leeds down to two points, but the Toffees’ 68-year stay in the top flight is at serious risk.
Frank Lampard could do with a favour from his old club as Chelsea visit Goodison Park on Sunday.
By the time they kick off, Lampard’s men could find themselves five points adrit of safety should Burnley continue their upturn in form since sacking Sean Dyche.
The Clarets have taken seven points from a possible nine under caretaker boss Mike Jackson and will be confident of another huge win when they travel to Waford.
The Hornets have lost 10 consecutive home games and their return to the Championship would be virtually confirmed by another defeat.
A Burnley victory would also mathematically relegate Norwich, should they lose at Aston Villa.
The batle to join City, Liverpool and Chelsea in next season’s Champions League looks like a shootout between north London rivals Arsenal and Totenham.
The Premier League’s top two remain on course to end their season with another showdown in the Champions League final ater seeing off Spanish opposition in contrasting fashion midweek. CL considerations could play a major role in the team selection of both title contenders
Premier League fixtures (all times GMT) Saturday: Newcastle vs Liverpool (1130), Southampton vs Crystal Palace, Aston Villa vs Norwich, Wolves vs Brighton, Waford vs Burnley (all 1400), Leeds vs Manchester City (1630)
Sunday: Everton vs Chelsea, Totenham vs Leicester (both 1300), West Ham vs Arsenal (1530) Monday: Manchester United vs Brenford (1900)