Image Credits: Imago Images
The Premier League season is entering its most dramatic final stretch, and for Liverpool, Sunday’s trip to Villa Park could not carry more weight.
With Champions League qualification still not mathematically secured, Arne Slot’s side know that three points against Aston Villa would seal their place in Europe’s premier club competition for next season – no need to look over their shoulder, no relying on other results. It is as straightforward as it gets.
Villa Park is never an easy place to go, and Unai Emery’s side have their own European ambitions to fight for, making this a genuine six-pointer.
Liverpool have done the hard work over the course of a long season, but this is the moment to close it out. A win here and the Reds are in the Champions League – it’s really is that simple
Now Arne Slot has provided an injury update on Ibrahima Konate, Florian Wirtz, Alisson, and Mohamed Salah ahead of Aston Villa.
Speaking in his pre-game press conference, the Dutchman said:
“Konate is OK, trained with us. Salah is available for a few minutes but hopefully can come in. Alisson, trained with us, let’s see where he is. Wirtz – stomach infection so let’s see how fit he is. He is on antibiotics.”
James Pearce has suggested that Wirtz will be fit on Friday.
Speaking on the importance of the Villa fixture, Slot said:
“We wanted to beat Chelsea, would have qualified for Champions League, we tried to the last second. People could see that more in the second half, we were on the front foot. Bar and post were in between us winning it. Draw, not the result we wanted but a point still. Maybe one week earlier we had a point and lost it. We go to Villa, a very good team this season, we have to try to win.”