Fight for positions in the EPL intensifies

● Liverpool’s hopes of virtually securing a top-four Premier League spot were frustrated by a battling Stoke City side who restricted the usually free-scoring Reds to a goalless draw at Anfield yesterday.

But Stoke’s hard-won point may not be enough to secure the visitors’ survival after Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace all won.

Swansea City’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the late game means the fight for positions at both ends of the table will go to the final day.

Liverpool, who still have to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, lead the Blues by six points with two games in hand although superior goal difference may prove decisive for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Domestic finishing position would be academic if Liverpool win the Champions League. They certainly looked like a side with their semifinal second leg in Rome on their mind as they failed to make the most of 72% possession against visitors who had never won a league game at Anfield.

Even 43-goal Mohamed Salah had an offday, marking the first time since Boxing Day that the Egyptian had failed to score after starting at home.

Liverpool, who made five changes from their semifinal in midweek, felt they deserved a penalty after Erik Pieters handled.

“We had to make changes, that is always a bit of a rhythm breaker, in the final third everything is instinct between the regulars, and we missed a bit of that,” said Klopp.

Elsewhere, Southampton gave themselves a shot at safety by beating south coast rivals Bournemouth 2-1 with two goals from Dusan Tadic. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy proved the real hero with a late save from Ryan Fraser, whose fierce shot looked destined for the net.

Bottom side West Brom continue to defy relegation after Matt Phillips’ first-half shot gave them a 1-0 win at Newcastle United, their eighth point from four games under caretaker manager Darren Moore.

Palace all but guaranteed their safety after thumping Leicester City 5-0, a result that will do little to halt the speculation over Claude Puel’s future as Foxes’ manager.

Wilfried Zaha scored Palace’s first and laid on their second for James McArthur, while substitute Christian Benteke rounded off the rout with a penalty.

Roy Hodgson’s side are now six points clear of the drop zone although they have played one more match than four teams below them. Among them are Brighton & Hove Albion, who drew 0-0 with Burnley, and Huddersfield Town, who lost 2-0 at home to Everton.

Though Huddersfield are three points clear of 18th-placed Southampton, their runin is difficult with trips to Manchester City and Chelsea and a home game against Arsenal, which will be Arsene Wenger’s final match in charge of the Gunners. — Reuters