“So this will be the last Premier League title race for the next five years?” writes Rob Hisnay. “I say this because with Manchester City signing Erling Haaland, things are not looking good for the Premier League’s competitiveness.”
People said the same thing when Manchester United signed Juan Sebastian Veron and Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 2001 and when Chelsea bought Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko in 2006. Both teams won the title only once over the next five years. I mean, Haaland can certainly score 50 goals by November, but I’m staying open-minded for now, especially with Jurgen Klopp around.
Updated at 19.09 BST
Team News
Steven Gerrard makes two changes from Aston Villa’s win at Burnley on Saturday. Marvelous Nakamba and Philippe Coutinho replace Calum Chambers and Emi Buendia.
Jurgen Klopp rests a number of players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea. In total, there are five changes compared to the 1-1 draw against Spurs at the weekend. Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota arrive for the heavyweight quintet of Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson (who is not on the subs), Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah.
Aston Villa (4-D-2) Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; nakamba; McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Coutinho; Watkins, Eng.
Substitutes: Olsen, Chambers, Chrisene, A Young, Iroegbunam, Sanson, Carney Chukwuemeka, Buendia, Traore.
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alison; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Keita, Fabinho, Jones; Jota, Mane, Diaz.
Substitutes: Kelleher, Konate, Thiago, Milner, Firmino, Salah, Henderson, Gomez, Origi.
referee Jon Moss.
Updated 19.06 BST
preamble
Of all gin joints. The year is 2022, Liverpool are in a title race – and Steven Gerrard is a central figure. Through a quirk of the game computer and manager’s carousel, Gerrard’s Aston Villa side play Liverpool tonight and Manchester City on the final day of the season at the Etihad. He could help Liverpool win the title or he could finish them off in the next few hours.
If Liverpool lose points tonight it will all be over apart from the tweets. With 41 points from their last 15 league games, even the stupid money is on them if they win at Villa Park. But there is no rest for the villains: the more successful you are, the greater the streak of games and this is Liverpool’s 12th game in 39 days since the last international break.
One interpretation of their draw against Spurs on Saturday is that they were showing signs of fatigue, more mental than physical, although in truth it’s far too early to draw that conclusion. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if they chase Villa out of the park tonight.
However, Villa have won their last two games, ended poor form and have players who can harm Liverpool: Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and the artist formerly known as the Little Magician.
Like Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho will experience mixed feelings tonight.
Kick off 8 p.m.
Updated on 02/19 BST