It takes something pretty special to overshadow Ryan Giggs’ first game as manager of Manchester United. A potentially title-defining match between liverpool and Chelsea can be described as just that.
liverpool can eliminate Chelsea from the title race - and move to the brink of a first English championship in 24 years - with a win at Anfield on Sunday in a contest that will capture the world’s attention. The Reds hold a five-point lead over Chelsea with three games remaining, with Manchester City a point further back in third but with a match in hand. United is usually in title contention at this stage of the season. Not this time.
MIND GAMES
Perhaps Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was just trying to lull liverpool into a false sense of security by saying this week that the Champions league was his priority this season and that he’d prefer to pick a weakened team for the liverpool match. All will be discovered with his team lineup on Sunday.
The timing of the match is unfortunate for Chelsea, coming between the two legs of the Champions league semifinals against Atletico Madrid. Mourinho is sure to make changes to his team to give several players a breather, but how manyIJ
Captain John Terry and goalkeeper Petr Cech will definitely miss out after being hurt in Tuesday’s first leg.
It all puts liverpool in a very strong position as Brendan Rodgers’ team goes for a 12th straight league win that would put it in sight of the title. A victory for liverpool and a slip-up by Manchester City at Crystal Palace later Sunday would mean the Reds having a chance to clinch the title with a match to spare.