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| Jurgen Klopp's eight-year reign at Liverpool has come to an end, will his boys give him a befitting send forth? (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
With the top four races effectively sorted, Liverpool and Aston Villa will join Arsenal and Manchester City in the Champions League next season. We look at how the Kops will send Jurgen Klopp off and how Villa will close their season.
Liverpool is playing at home against Wolves, while Unai Emery and his boys will be away at a buzzing Crystal Palace. The Eagles are in the best form of their lives, and I wish they still had some games to play to help themselves up the ladder.
It’s Jurgen Klopp’s farewell; it will be an emotional day at Anfield; the fans will cry, and the manager will entertain with fist bumps and his farewell speech. You can expect his boys to give him a deserving performance in the sunshine.
Aston Villa doesn’t have a lot to fight for; they have made the Champions League for the first time in forty years. It’s a feat they must frame and celebrate for a long time. No one gave them a chance at the start of the season; they worked for it, and now they’re here.
While the manager of the season could well go to the winning manager, many will lend a voice to Emery as their choice, thinking he took over Villa from the relegation zone less than two seasons ago and now they’re a Champions League team.
How will Liverpool line up? It’s more like a testimonial for both sides. Wolves have had an impressive season; injuries haven’t been kind to them, but they have found a way to beat relegation with many games to spare. It’s a huge achievement from Gary O’Neil.
Expect some academy kids in the second half, but Liverpool should easily win. Mohammed Salah and Luis Diaz could have a filled day here, and a clean sheet should be on the cards for the hosts too. It will be a good farewell for Jurgen Klopp.
Aston Villa could have a torrid day at Palace. The Eagles will want to finish on a high, and that could mean a potential top-ten finish, but they will need Brighton and Bournemouth to drop points against Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively.
Whatever happens, Wolves and Crystal Palace can hold their heads high; they have had relatively successful seasons. Oliver Glasner will remain the Eagles' coach, but there is no clarity on Manchester United's interest in O'Neil.