Here we go! This is it Championship Sunday! Liverpool can win their first league title since 1990, provided they win and Manchester City draws or loses. The Reds have a much tougher assignment than the Citizens, as they’ll host Wolverhampton Wanderers, a side that’s established themselves as the best of the rest (beyond the big six) in the Premier League. City, on the other hand, faces a lower table side in Brighton & Hove Albion.
Wolves have clinched seventh place, and they will look to play spoilers here. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has the disadvantage of some injury and fitness concerns heading into this one.
“The famous three words of this week in the dressing room- it’s only pain,” said Klopp. “Very important for the young lads to learn.”
The good news is that Mo Salah is training again, having recovered from his concussion and Andrew Robertson has healed his calf enough to be ready to go as well. The bad news is that Roberto Firmino has been ruled out.
Naby Keita is done for the season. Sticking with midfield fitness concerns, Fabinho, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all doubts due to knocks.
Wolves have a fully fit squad, just as they have had most of the season.
“I think the Tuesday result and the win at Newcastle, which wasn’t easy, it put pressure on Manchester City,” said Liverpool legend Vladimir Smicer, in our exclusive interview.
“It showed we’re still here, we want to win the league.”
Championship Sunday FYIs
Kickoff- Sunday May 12, Anfield 3pm
LFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Form guide: Liverpool WWWWW Wolverhampton Wanderers WWWDL
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win 75%, Draw 16%, Wolverhampton Wanderers win 6%
Liverpool 2, Wolves 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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