LIVERPOOL FACE MAN UTD TITLE TEST AS BATTLE AT TOP HEATS UP
Table-topping Merseysiders head to Old Trafford stinging from dramatic last-minute FA Cup loss there at the hands of bitter rivals two weeks ago
English Premier League leaders Liverpool head to Manchester United tomorrow looking to move a step closer to equalling their bitter rivals’ record of 20 titles.
In a gripping title race, Arsenal and Manchester City will hope for a Liverpool stumble, while the top-four battle and relegation survival fight are also heating up.
With memories of their painful FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Old Trafford still fresh for the Merseysiders, it would be no surprise if they branded their return to Manchester as a revenge mission.
Jurgen Klopp’s side twice blew the lead in a 4-3 defeat that was clinched by Amad Diallo in the final seconds of extra time to end Liverpool’s quadruple bid.
But they can make amends by defeating Erik ten Hag’s men as they bid to move level with United’s record 20 top-flight titles.
Alexis Mac Allister, whose thunderous strike put Liverpool on course for their 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Thursday, insisted avenging their FA Cup loss was not the primary motivation with so much already at stake.
“I don’t know if it’s revenge but for sure it will be an important game for us because if we want to win something we have to win every game and that’s the aim,” said Mac Allister, whose team are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal with eight games left.
Arsenal head to Brighton aiming to keep the pressure on Liverpool, while third-placed City – three points behind the leaders – travel to Crystal Palace today.
Tottenham are not the “finished article” according to boss Ange Postecoglou as his side face a vital weekend in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
Postecoglou’s side were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at West Ham on Tuesday but Aston Villa’s 4-1 defeat by Manchester City 24 hours later kept Spurs firmly in contention for a top-four berth.
The North Londoners are fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Villa but with a game in hand.
Struggling Nottingham Forest visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tomorrow, while Villa host Brentford today.
Both sides will be expected to win and a shock slip-up could be a decisive moment, with Postecoglou conceding his team are still a work in progress.
“I would love to have a joystick and put them where I want them but it doesn’t work like that. We are not the finished article and we know that,” he said.
Villa are aiming to play in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 1983 and boss Unai Emery said his players relish the pressure.
“We will play a lot of matches in the next weeks, starting on Saturday. It’s clear we are motivated and excited to try to be competitive,” he said.
Meanwhile at the other end of the table, Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is confident his side will not crack in the fight for survival. He scored as fourthbottom Forest beat Fulham 3-1 on Tuesday to improve their hopes of beating the drop with a first win in seven games in all competitions.
“Credit to the whole team. It looks like the only way is up from here, hopefully,” he said.
A point above Forest, Everton face second-bottom Burnley in a crucial clash at Goodison Park today when the Toffees will bid to snap a club record 13-game winless Premier League run.
Third-bottom Luton host Bournemouth, looking to close the three-point gap on Forest.