Liverpool have the opportunity to edge closer to the Premier League title when they take on Fulham this Sunday. Meanwhile, Manchester City will seek to enhance their chances of securing a Champions League spot against their fierce rivals Manchester United, as Southampton aim to delay their relegation for at least another week.
AFP Sport highlights three key talking points leading into the weekend’s matches:
Virgil van Dijk has issued a rallying call to Liverpool, urging them to outwork every team that stands in the way of equalling the club’s record of 20 English titles.
Arne Slot’s squad demonstrated their resolve in overcoming Everton with a narrow 1-0 victory in a tense Merseyside derby at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
This win positioned Liverpool a solid 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with just eight matches remaining.
After a string of disappointing results that saw them exit the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and lose the League Cup final to Newcastle, Liverpool found a timely boost through Diogo Jota’s decisive goal against Everton.
Now, the Reds turn their focus to Fulham with the ambition of taking another stride towards claiming their first title since 2020.
“It’s a strange world. There are doubts being cast outside of the club, but the fact is, there are eight matches left and a 12-point buffer,” Van Dijk acknowledged.
“If we have to battle, we will battle. The manager mentioned this in his press conference. We must outwork our opponents; if we fail to do that, we won’t be victorious.”
Grealish aims to shine in Manchester derby
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has expressed his eagerness to take the spotlight if he gets the nod to start in Sunday’s high-stakes derby against Manchester United.
Grealish marked his return to the starting line-up with a goal in a 2-0 victory over Leicester on Wednesday—his first in the Premier League this season.
This season has been challenging for the 29-year-old England international, plagued by form and fitness troubles that have sidelined him for extended periods.
“I experienced something similar last year. I wasn’t selected for the national team in March, but then ended up playing frequently in April. I’m prepared when my chance arrives,” he remarked.
With City embroiled in a fight to secure Champions League qualification and without their star striker Erling Haaland for several weeks due to an ankle injury, they need Grealish at his peak.
City suffered a 2-1 defeat to United earlier in the season, conceding two late goals, and Grealish is eager to settle the score at Old Trafford.
“They got the better of us earlier this season, and that was difficult to swallow,” he lamented.
“However, we’re heading there on the back of two victories and with plenty of confidence. Hopefully, we can bring joy to our supporters.”
Southampton on the edge of relegation
Taylor Harwood-Bellis is adamant that Southampton will continue their fight to avoid relegation, yet the defender’s side, currently in last place, may see their fate sealed as early as this weekend.
Matheus Franca’s last-gasp equaliser for Crystal Palace in Wednesday’s 1-1 stalemate at St Mary’s robbed Southampton of what would have been only their third league win this season.
This latest result leaves the Saints, who sit 19 points adrift of safety, facing relegation if they lose to Tottenham on Sunday while Wolves secure a victory against Ipswich on Saturday.
Should that occur, Southampton will become the first team to be relegated with seven matches still remaining in the season.
They are also just one point shy of matching Derby’s dismal record low points total of 11 set during the 2007-08 Premier League season.
“We simply wanted to put on a performance at home that our supporters could be proud of,” commented Harwood-Bellis.
“There have been moments this season where we have to accept that our quality hasn’t been anywhere near good enough.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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