Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
This game kicks off just after Midday and if Liverpool fans and maybe even Jurgen Klopp were brutally honest it’s a game they would rather not have to play. That’s because they have their Europa League Semi Final 2nd leg on Thursday and it’s a game in which they have to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
Jurgen Klopp has already gone on record in saying that his key men will be rested for Thursday’s encounter, so I would expect this to be a full backup line up taking the field for Liverpool this Lunchtime. But when you’re one game away from a Europa League Final then you can fully understand the decision.
It might ultimately cost them a Top 6 finish, which if they then go on to not win the Europa League could also mean they miss out on European Football next season. But it’s a gamble they just have to take and also you may then ask the question would a campaign without Europe set them up nicely for a top 4 tilt without the distractions of playing Thursday/Sunday.
Much has been made of the rift between Jurgen Klopp and Daniel Sturridge with Sturridge reportedly refusing to be a substitute. If he doesn’t feature in Today’s starting lineup in what is all but a defacto reserve side then that will cast even more doubt on the England International’s time at Anfield.
In a sense it’s handy that Swansea are all but assured of staying up this season as otherwise Liverpool’s resting of their first eleven would then raise questions regarding integrity to the other teams at the bottom at this stage of the campaign but with Swansea on 40 points then that particular issue has been avoided.
With the objective of safety secured by Swansea it’s fair to say they have switched off over the past couple of weeks, first it was defeat to Newcastle and then they were thumped 4-0 by leaders Leicester last Sunday. Many felt they would take advantage of a Leicester side without Jamie Vardy but they almost rolled over for the champions elect as their minds were more on the beach at not The King Power Stadium.
Whether Francesco Guidolin can get a raised performance out of them remains to be seen. This I imagine will have the air of a testimonial, Swansea are safe and Liverpool are focused on Thursday. This has a draw written all over it.
Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price
