Last week, Brighton picked up three massive points against title bottlers Arsenal, while Villa salvaged their European dream against Spurs. Next up is another massive challenge as Villa travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
I spoke to The Kopite Podcast to find out more about Liverpool’s turbulent season.
UTV PODCAST X THE KOPITE PODCAST
The race for Europe this season has been as exciting as it ever has been. Liverpool are fighting for Champions League football alongside Newcastle and Manchester United. How do you rate your chances of securing Champions League football this season?
The fact that we have made a bit of a race for the top 4 is what has surprised me most, considering the way we’ve played all season! I still think we’ll just miss out, but you never know what can happen when the pressure is on, and we still, of course, have to play a very good Aston Villa on Saturday before Southampton on the last day of the season, which might not be as easy as it looks as their players will want to give the fans something to cheer as they depart the Premier League. I think if Newcastle stumble a bit tonight against Brighton, then I’ll believe a few percent more!
Liverpool have won each of their last seven games which has seen them rocket up the table. What would you say has changed for this run of form?
To win seven in a row has been great to see. The tactical change to allow Trent in midfield for the Arsenal game and all the games since has not only given him a new lease of life but also Liverpool. He’s been the metronome in every game and looks like a new man and long may it continue. Add in the fact that fellow Scouser, Curtis Jones has something to prove and has started the last 9 speaks volumes of his performances too with some goals and assists.
It’s been an interesting season for Liverpool with a kaleidoscope of highs and lows. If you had to give this season a grade, what would it be?
I think before the upturn in form it was a solid 5 but since then I can upgrade it to a 6.5. The form upturn has allowed us to get our noses back into the top 4 race but in reality, we should have been challenging for the title after our great season last season and I expect us to be back up there again next year.
Finally, what’s your score prediction?
My heart says 3-1 win, but my head says 2-1 win.
Villa under Emery have been very good. I’m still a bit sad it didn’t work out for Steven Gerrard but Emery’s record and form since his arrival has been terrific, but it’ll be a very tricky game for the Reds.
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OPPOSITION FOCUS | ARE LIVERPOOL BACK ON TOP?
How does one team turn arguably their worst season in the last five years into a successful one? The answer is quite simple: get one of the best players in football back on top of his game. That’s right, when you have Mo Salah in your attack on top of his game, you’re already at an advantage.
In this Opposition Focus, I’ll be taking a closer look at what else has contributed to Liverpool’s improvement. I’ll be looking at key players, their style of play, and the turning point in their season. But first, I’ll be taking a look at where the problems began for Liverpool.
The best place to start with this Liverpool season is the start. Liverpool’s start to the season was very poor. They were managing to secure points but really struggled to win matches, only winning two of their first seven. They drew four. This all but secured the fact that Liverpool wouldn’t be challenging for the Premier League title this season.
This, in my opinion, is the biggest factor in Liverpool’s decline this season. For the majority of the season, they haven’t had anything to play for. The title has always seemed out of their grasp, and the players just assumed that they were entitled to a Champions League spot.
What further supports this point is the fact that it’s only recently, when Champions League football has become a doubt, that Liverpool have turned up. Since Liverpool lost successive matches to Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City in the league, they have regrouped. Those defeats meant they were out of the Champions League and eighth in the league.
This meant they were seriously in danger of not getting Champions League football. This team finally had something to play for. When Liverpool have something to play for, they usually show up, especially under Klopp. Since those defeats, Liverpool held the league leaders to a draw and went on a seven-game winning run.
But how impressive has this Liverpool side been in their undefeated run? Needless to say, winning seven games in a row in any competition is very impressive, but context is often needed. Four of the seven teams have been against teams in the bottom half of the table, and another win came against a Spurs team in crisis.
On top of this, only one of the seven matches has been won by more than one goal. The exception was against a Leeds side with an abysmal defence. While a win is a win and they all count for the same, it shows that Liverpool aren’t untouchable in this winning run. There is still a chance for Villa. While there is still a chance, Emery’s men will give it everything.
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MY PREDICTION
Once again, this is an absolutely massive game for Villa against an in-form Liverpool side. Liverpool have won each of their last six games and are infamously good at home. This will be Villa’s toughest task yet under Emery and they will without a doubt have to be on top of their game.
I’ll go for a draw to keep our European dreams alive. 2-2, Watkins at the double.
2 more cup finals. Up The Villa!
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