The Premier League season will reach its finish line tomorrow when at 10 AM EST Liverpool and Brighton, along with the other 18 teams, kick off at the same time to conclude a riveting season.
The Situation:
Liverpool sit two points ahead of Chelsea in fourth place, and two points behind Tottenham who are in third place. The key is that Liverpool will clinch top four with a victory regardless of any other result as well as with a draw via goal differential, barring a 16-0 victory by Chelsea over Newcastle. Chelsea's draw with Huddersfield mid-week meant that Liverpool could lose and still qualify if Chelsea lose or draw tomorrow. Of course, it'd be much nicer to see the Reds clinch it as a result of their own doing, especially in front of the supporters on the final home match of the season.
Team News:
Liverpool continue to limp to the finish line with the recent injury news. First is the news that Joe Gomez will need ankle surgery and miss out on the remainder of the season and likely the World Cup, just like teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. This is a massive blow for Liverpool's depth as well as the young star who had played himself into World Cup consideration with an exceptional performance at center-back against Brazil. For the weekend, Liverpool will also likely have to do without Sadio Mane who suffered a fresh knock last weekend against Chelsea. The hope is that he will play in the Champions League final, but his doubt on the weekend and the inability to confirm his fitness for the game in two weeks' time will have Liverpool fans' nerves certainly up.
Another blow, in both injury and future at the club, is that there is no new report on Emre Can's fitness or his contract situation. The German midfielder has been linked to Juventus all throughout the season as his contract runs down (ending at the end of this season) and his hopes to be match-fit for the final still look bleak. Finally, The Telegraph has reported that 18-year-old Rhian Brewster, who is also out of contract following the season's finish, is looking to Germany for regular season football. The 18-year-old suffered an injury just a short while after taking a brave stance against racial abuse he received against Spartak Moscow, a stance which he received much support from Jurgen Klopp himself. I believe Brewster has a bright future here and I believe the staff also do, however with Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig leading the way, one cannot blame him for keeping his options open in search of regular first-team football.
It is not all doom and gloom at Melwood, however. Klopp reported that Adam Lallana has "trained normally" for about a week now and all signs point to the midfielder returning to the squad on the weekend, and having the potential to play a key role in the Champions League final. With Liverpool starved for midfield depth, Lallana's return will be huge. The man who just turned 30 this past week has faced two major injuries this season but will be happy that he will be able to finish out the season on a healthy note. It will be interesting to see if he is eased back into the squad on his return, or if he is handed a start in either of these final two matches.
Brighton have two long-term misses in Steve Sidwell and Izzy Brown, but other than that Chris Hughton's full squad should be available for his selection. Brighton still have the chance to finish in the top half of the table if a multitude of results go their way, but the expectation is that they will be up for trying to punctuate their first Premier League season with a strong finish. The side currently sit in 14th and because they have clinched safety, they perhaps could have nothing to lose in the match and will look to strike out at Liverpool as a result.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Clyne, van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Ings
Projected Brighton Line-Up: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper; Izquierdo; Gross; Murray
Previewing the Match:
Kiev is two weeks away which means focusing all energy on clinching Champions League through the league right now is crucial. Just as they did last season, they have left it to the final game at home to a newly promoted side to clinch top four. Liverpool have had the opportunity to ice it away each of the past three weeks and have faltered in all three. Grabbing at least a point at home seems easy, but you cannot underestimate Brighton, as they've learned through giving away a two-goal lead to West Brom a few weeks ago. The send-off should be warm from the fans, they will be hoping that the team rewards them with plenty to cheer about.
Brighton is just a week removed from beating Manchester United 1-0 at home to secure their safety in the league for next season. While Liverpool won 5-1 at Brighton last time out, this is a Brighton side that remains dangerous in attack. With players like Jose Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert on each wing, I think defensive security and going with Nathaniel Clyne is something that Liverpool will decide to do. Pascal Gross plays behind the striker usually as an attacking midfielder and has been excellent in supplying the forward during the year as the German has eight assists to go along with seven goals. Whether it's Glenn Murray, Leonardo Ulloa, or Jurgen Locadia leading the front line out, it's important to note their danger.
The attack of Liverpool, which likely will not feature Mane, will be interesting to note. Danny Ings got a goal in his last start, it will be interesting if he is featured yet again. If so, will he feature on the wing or in his more favored central striker location? Additionally, can Mo Salah finally get that goal to break the single season Premier League record? These will be keys in Liverpool's plans as while a draw sees them to top four, Brighton have scored in five of their last six and have been in a nice bit of scoring form. An attack that can hit Brighton on the counter or just from open play as they were able to in their last meeting would go a long way in easing the pressure off the rest of the team as a whole and possibly be the key in seeing them to top four.
Final Thoughts:
It will be a nervous affair for 90 minutes. A win would be outstanding and a nice high note to end the league campaign and send the Reds to Kiev with. But a draw for this incredibly banged up Liverpool team will certainly do. No one will be complaining if the final result is a 0-0 game without much action. This game is purely about the end result and the ability for Liverpool to say they are through to Europe's biggest competition for a second straight season.
Score Projection: Liverpool 1: Brighton 1:
I believe this will be a casual affair. Liverpool will strike first, but Brighton will equalize causing a scare. Even with the shallow depth of this Liverpool team, they have the quality to take one more positive result out of this season.
Telegraph Article about Rhian Brewster: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/05/11/liverpool-fear-losing-rhian-brewster-bundesliga-asteenage-forward/
Please follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets! I post all my articles there, so you won't miss a thing!
The Situation:
Liverpool sit two points ahead of Chelsea in fourth place, and two points behind Tottenham who are in third place. The key is that Liverpool will clinch top four with a victory regardless of any other result as well as with a draw via goal differential, barring a 16-0 victory by Chelsea over Newcastle. Chelsea's draw with Huddersfield mid-week meant that Liverpool could lose and still qualify if Chelsea lose or draw tomorrow. Of course, it'd be much nicer to see the Reds clinch it as a result of their own doing, especially in front of the supporters on the final home match of the season.
Team News:
Liverpool continue to limp to the finish line with the recent injury news. First is the news that Joe Gomez will need ankle surgery and miss out on the remainder of the season and likely the World Cup, just like teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. This is a massive blow for Liverpool's depth as well as the young star who had played himself into World Cup consideration with an exceptional performance at center-back against Brazil. For the weekend, Liverpool will also likely have to do without Sadio Mane who suffered a fresh knock last weekend against Chelsea. The hope is that he will play in the Champions League final, but his doubt on the weekend and the inability to confirm his fitness for the game in two weeks' time will have Liverpool fans' nerves certainly up.
Another blow, in both injury and future at the club, is that there is no new report on Emre Can's fitness or his contract situation. The German midfielder has been linked to Juventus all throughout the season as his contract runs down (ending at the end of this season) and his hopes to be match-fit for the final still look bleak. Finally, The Telegraph has reported that 18-year-old Rhian Brewster, who is also out of contract following the season's finish, is looking to Germany for regular season football. The 18-year-old suffered an injury just a short while after taking a brave stance against racial abuse he received against Spartak Moscow, a stance which he received much support from Jurgen Klopp himself. I believe Brewster has a bright future here and I believe the staff also do, however with Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig leading the way, one cannot blame him for keeping his options open in search of regular first-team football.
It is not all doom and gloom at Melwood, however. Klopp reported that Adam Lallana has "trained normally" for about a week now and all signs point to the midfielder returning to the squad on the weekend, and having the potential to play a key role in the Champions League final. With Liverpool starved for midfield depth, Lallana's return will be huge. The man who just turned 30 this past week has faced two major injuries this season but will be happy that he will be able to finish out the season on a healthy note. It will be interesting to see if he is eased back into the squad on his return, or if he is handed a start in either of these final two matches.
Brighton have two long-term misses in Steve Sidwell and Izzy Brown, but other than that Chris Hughton's full squad should be available for his selection. Brighton still have the chance to finish in the top half of the table if a multitude of results go their way, but the expectation is that they will be up for trying to punctuate their first Premier League season with a strong finish. The side currently sit in 14th and because they have clinched safety, they perhaps could have nothing to lose in the match and will look to strike out at Liverpool as a result.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Clyne, van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Ings
Projected Brighton Line-Up: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper; Izquierdo; Gross; Murray
Previewing the Match:
Kiev is two weeks away which means focusing all energy on clinching Champions League through the league right now is crucial. Just as they did last season, they have left it to the final game at home to a newly promoted side to clinch top four. Liverpool have had the opportunity to ice it away each of the past three weeks and have faltered in all three. Grabbing at least a point at home seems easy, but you cannot underestimate Brighton, as they've learned through giving away a two-goal lead to West Brom a few weeks ago. The send-off should be warm from the fans, they will be hoping that the team rewards them with plenty to cheer about.
Brighton is just a week removed from beating Manchester United 1-0 at home to secure their safety in the league for next season. While Liverpool won 5-1 at Brighton last time out, this is a Brighton side that remains dangerous in attack. With players like Jose Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert on each wing, I think defensive security and going with Nathaniel Clyne is something that Liverpool will decide to do. Pascal Gross plays behind the striker usually as an attacking midfielder and has been excellent in supplying the forward during the year as the German has eight assists to go along with seven goals. Whether it's Glenn Murray, Leonardo Ulloa, or Jurgen Locadia leading the front line out, it's important to note their danger.
The attack of Liverpool, which likely will not feature Mane, will be interesting to note. Danny Ings got a goal in his last start, it will be interesting if he is featured yet again. If so, will he feature on the wing or in his more favored central striker location? Additionally, can Mo Salah finally get that goal to break the single season Premier League record? These will be keys in Liverpool's plans as while a draw sees them to top four, Brighton have scored in five of their last six and have been in a nice bit of scoring form. An attack that can hit Brighton on the counter or just from open play as they were able to in their last meeting would go a long way in easing the pressure off the rest of the team as a whole and possibly be the key in seeing them to top four.
Final Thoughts:
It will be a nervous affair for 90 minutes. A win would be outstanding and a nice high note to end the league campaign and send the Reds to Kiev with. But a draw for this incredibly banged up Liverpool team will certainly do. No one will be complaining if the final result is a 0-0 game without much action. This game is purely about the end result and the ability for Liverpool to say they are through to Europe's biggest competition for a second straight season.
Score Projection: Liverpool 1: Brighton 1:
I believe this will be a casual affair. Liverpool will strike first, but Brighton will equalize causing a scare. Even with the shallow depth of this Liverpool team, they have the quality to take one more positive result out of this season.
Telegraph Article about Rhian Brewster: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/05/11/liverpool-fear-losing-rhian-brewster-bundesliga-asteenage-forward/
Please follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets! I post all my articles there, so you won't miss a thing!
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