Even if it’s no go for Mo, Liverpool will still give our rivals a tough task – Carlos
CARLOS Carvalhal insists he has no concerns about the Premier League’s top dogs resting their star players – even though it could end up costing Swansea City their place in the top flight.
The Swans’ relegation rivals Stoke go to Liverpool on Saturday and Jurgen Klopp could well be tempted to leave out Player-of-the-Year Mohamed Salah, with a huge Champions League return clash with Roma looming four days afterwards.
Southampton, who are also looking to overhaul the Swans, meet Manchester City on the final day. Huddersfield, who could yet be drawn into the relegation mix, are still to play Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Liverpool and Arsenal are each chasing major European honours, while Chelsea are due to contest the FA Cup final with Manchester United.
With cup competitions to win, it may mean the big guns leaving out some of their leading stars in league games that could have a direct bearing on the relegation battle.
Swansea host Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow evening, while Stoke travel to Anfield. The Blues are still chasing a top-four finish, but Liverpool are almost assured of a top-four finish and will have an eye on the Roma return clash.
Salah has scored 43 goals this season. When specifically asked about the impact of him potentially being rested, Carvalhal countered: “Liverpool is much more than one player.
“They can win without this player, of course he is a fantastic player. He is the player of the season but Liverpool do not depend on one player.
“They depend on a very good dynamic and a good shape. They have a good vibe and are very positive in this moment.”
Carvalhal insisted he is not concerned that squad rotation will play a part in the final outcome to avoid the drop.
“That is not my job. I know what I felt in the last game against Manchester City, that they would still play for points and play well even though they are champions,” he said.
“Liverpool are the same, I don’t believe any team will rest players just to recover, if they put new players in it will be to give energy and balance to the team.
“It will still be competitive if they put three or four players out – they will stay with five or six and they can substitute others.
“It is like we did in the cup and we won games, so for sure they will be competitive.
“They also still have ambitions because they want to be in second place and they are fighting for that.”
Swansea’s fate remains firmly in their own hands as the season reaches its final stages, but their last threepoint haul came against West Ham on March 3.
Some of the momentum has dissipated from the early stages of Carvalhal’s tenure, in a manner reminiscent of the dip suffered under Paul Clement at a similar stage last season, even though the Portuguese claims to be unconcerned.
“In those six games we played Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton, so it is tough,” he said.
“We had a point at West Brom which I think was good result.
“But the last home performance was one of the best since I arrived, so why can’t we do the same or better this time?”