What if Steven Gerrard was the one to bury Liverpool's quest for a quadruple a little more?
"
If you're looking for a good title like ''Steven Gerrard plans to end Liverpool's title dreams'', you won't get it, I'm sorry
", planted "Stevie G" in a press conference at the eve of the duel between his Aston Villa and Liverpool.
However, a new hitch on the lawn of the Villans this Tuesday (9 p.m.) would seriously jeopardize the title chances of the Reds, relegated to three lengths from Manchester City after their draw against Tottenham on Saturday evening (1-1).
To discover
Premier League fixtures and results
Premier League standings
A frustrating draw for Jürgen Klopp and his flock, muzzled by well-grouped Spurs.
"
They have world-class players who block all the balls, good for them but I can't, it's not my football
," complained the German coach after the match.
Often philosophical and rarely very critical of the opponent, Klopp did not hide his frustration this time.
And for good reason, the feeling of urgency is spreading to the banks of the Mersey, where the dreams of a quadruple history (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League) still hold less than three weeks from the end of the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
But at the end of this week of all dangers, this senseless quest will perhaps be overthrown.
After moving to Villa Park on Tuesday, Liverpool will move to another park, Wembley, to play in the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday (5:45 p.m.).
A trophy that has eluded the Liverpuldiens since 2006 but that the vengeful Blues covet after their defeat in the League Cup final after an endless but no less exciting penalty shootout (0-0, 11-10 on pens) .
Read alsoPremier League: City take advantage of Liverpool's misstep and regain the lead
Gerrard will not give a gift
Before that, it will therefore be Aston Villa.
A match which will in all likelihood condition the rest of the week: “
If we win on Tuesday, it will be easier to approach the Cup final
, agreed a Klopp with a smile found on Monday.
Otherwise, we will have to build our state of mind for the Cup.
But it remains a final, the truth of a single match.
“And if Chelsea seem lost since their elimination in C1, conclusion of a much more exciting spring, the men of Thomas Tuchel know only too well that this final is the only opportunity to save a white season.
As long as it's still playable, why should we stop believing in it?
Jurgen Klopp
For Liverpool, ending the season with a single Carabao Cup after having aspired to other successes would clearly leave a taste of unfinished business.
“
As long as it's still playable, why should we stop believing in it?
, asked the always positive technician of the Reds.
In an ideal world, we win all our matches and we would be 9 points ahead of City, everything would be simpler.
“It would already be more possible if successful on Tuesday, to put a little pressure on City, which moves to Wolverhampton the next day.
Read alsoLuis Diaz's training club in Colombia demands a sum from Porto after the player's transfer to Liverpool
Opposite, the stake is less important for Aston Villa, even if a draw would definitely ensure a maintenance acquired at 99%.
However, manager Gerrard promises that he will not favor the final sprint of his heart club: "
My job is to win matches with Aston Villa and that will be the case as long as I represent this club
", hammered Monday the legend of Liverpool, where he is the huge favorite for the succession of Klopp.
revenge in the air
The German, who has already extended his contract with LFC until 2024, would go a little further into the history of the club by winning a historic quadruple, surpassing in passing the hat-trick of rival Manchester United in 1999 (Premier League, FA Cup, C1).
Like its players, whose future remains unclear for some.
Starting with superstar Mohamed Salah, about whom negotiations are dragging on to extend his contract beyond 2023.
In the meantime, the Egyptian and his family remain focused on the pitch.
"
We have a score to settle
", promised number 11 on Twitter in anticipation of the Champions League final (May 28) against Real Madrid who had deprived them of the coronation in 2018 (3-1).
A score to settle, Salah and company will have another one on Tuesday evening.
When they last visited Birmingham in the Premier League, in October 2020, the defending champions were swept 7-2 by Aston Villa.
Enough to give them extra soul to tackle this final sprint.
