Liverpool clinging to quadruple hopes
Reds confident they can add titles in Premier League, Champions League
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah says the Reds are excited to still have a chance to add the Premier League and Champions League titles to their two domestic cup triumphs, saying the team is optimistic ahead of the climax to the season.
Liverpool could claim an unprecedented quadruple this season but must beat Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield and hope Manchester City does not win at home today against Aston Villa if they are to snatch the Premier League crown. With 90 points, Manchester City holds a onepoint lead in the standings heading into the final day of the season.
“I wish City lose or draw, and we can win the league,” Salah told beIN Sports on Friday.
“We talk to each other (as a team), and everyone is excited. This situation happened two years ago, and they won the league. We are all optimistic and this is what is in your hands — you must win your match and then you see what happens.”
Liverpool face record 13-time European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris next Saturday, having already lifted the FA Cup and League Cup.
“When (I said) I wish we could face Real Madrid, this was as if I said something wrong about them,” Salah added. “I am talking about the strongest team in Champions League history and I said that because of what happened before.
“The match will be difficult and this team has won almost against all the strong teams. (But) I am very excited about the final and I hope we can win it.”
Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in the 2018 Champions League final held in Kyiv following goals from Karim Benzema and a double by Gareth Bale after Sadio Mane had equalized for the Reds.
Also today, Tottenham Hotspur can secure its return to Europe's elite competition with at least a draw at Norwich City.
Having leapfrogged their rival Arsenal into fourth place in the EPL little more than a week, Antonio Conte's men are heavy favourites against the already-relegated bottom side.
Arsenal plays host to an Everton side riding high after securing their Premier League survival with a comeback win over Crystal Palace on Thursday.
That means one of either Leeds United or Burnley will be the third team to be relegated.
Both gambled on changing their managers in a bid to remain in the top flight — Leeds brought in Jesse Marsch in February, while Burnley have Mike Jackson in temporary charge after sacking Sean Dyche in April.
Leeds travels to 11th-place Brentford, the surprise side of the season, while Burnley is home to Newcastle United, looking to avoid dropping to the second tier for the first time since 2015.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has been named the Premier League's Player of the Season for the 2021-22 campaign, the league said on Saturday.
De Bruyne won the award for the second time after also getting the prize in the 201920 season.
The Belgium international scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 29 games this season and has been a key player for City, which needs a win in its final game today to lift its sixth Premier League title.
The 30-year-old saw off competition from City teammate Joao Cancelo, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min and others.
“There is so much quality in the Premier League and it is a pleasure to be nominated with so many other great players who have had incredible seasons for their clubs,” De Bruyne said.
“My performances this season have been good and I am happy that I have been able to contribute with goals and assists throughout the season.”
Earlier on Saturday, teammate and midfielder Phil Foden was named the league's best young player of the season for the second year in a row.
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Manchester United's final game of the season at Crystal Palace in the Premier League today due to a hip injury, British media reported on Saturday.
Ronaldo, who missed matches in January and March with hip flexor trouble, is United's top scorer this season with 24 goals in all competitions.
United is sixth in the league with 58 points, two points above seventh-place West Ham United, and needs a win at Selhurst Park to be certain of securing a place in next season's Europa League competition.
Today's game will be Ralf Rangnick's last as interim manager, with Erik ten Hag set to be the permanent manager starting next season.