Liverpool may need to reevaluate their Premier League ambitions as the wheels slowly start to come off at Aston Villa.
We have known for quite a while that Liverpool won’t be defending the title, and the main focus has shifted to Champions League qualification.
But recent weeks have unveiled another possibility — redeeming a campaign to forget with a third-place finish.
Did anyone actually deserve man of the match against West Ham? 😆
If so, who was it?
Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Liverpool have Man United and Chelsea to get past to secure a spot in Europe’s elite competition next season, but they might be able to surpass Villa as well. Unai Emery’s recent comments certainly suggest as much.
Unai Emery on Aston Villa’s struggles
Villa were stunned by Midlands rivals Wolves on Friday night, and the Spaniard cut a frustrated figure after falling short against one of the worst Premier League sides in recent years.
His side have had breathing room from the chasing pack for some time now, but the gap is shrinking and the manager doesn’t sound too confident.
In his post-game press conference, he remarked: “Someone, even myself, may say ‘maybe we can’. Some supporters, maybe they were dreaming it. Now we are not with the possibility to fight for the Premier League, some can feel frustrated, even myself because I have my dreams.
Arne Slot and Unai Emery shake hands after game
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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“In September I was worried and the objective was to stay in the Premier League. In December I was so happy and excited to get the top-five position and achieve the Champions League. One month ago I was dreaming about maybe winning the Premier League. Now we are in the average to be in the top five.
“Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, they are trying to get to us, for them it is a priority to get into the Champions League.”
Emery recognises that some of the biggest clubs in England are nipping at his heels, and these comments will do little to encourage his players with ten games to go.
Liverpool and United are now just three points back from Villa, with Michael Carrick’s men playing later today.
Liverpool are going to have to change this to make it to the UCL quarter-finals…
Give us your early predictions for the last-16 clash with Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen warms up for Galatasaray (Credit: Getty Images/Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates
The idea of surpassing Villa will be on the minds of all three teams, but if we’re going by reputation and quality, Liverpool have to be favourites to finish ahead of their qualification rivals.
In the final four weeks of the campaign, the Reds remarkably face all three of Villa, Chelsea and United, before hosting Brentford at Anfield on the final day — another side with European ambitions.
It’s going to be cinema.
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