Liverpool and Aston Villa have avoided the Champions League play-offs, but will meet on Wednesday at the same time as the Champions League. Marcus Rashford could make his starting debut for the Villans.
Liverpool FC finished top of their Champions League group and avoided the play-offs, but the Reds still don’t have a midweek bye. Last Wednesday, the postponed Merseyside derby against Everton was rescheduled – and this week, LFC has to go to Birmingham to play Aston Villa, which also qualified directly for the knockout stage in the premier class, in a game brought forward from match day 29 (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.).
Liverpool earned their place in the final by reaching the League Cup final, which will be played against Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday, March 16.
So, in parallel with the Champions League, the ball will also be rolling in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. Arne Slot and his team have an uncomfortable task ahead of them. “If you look at the schedule, you know that the game at Villa is one of the more difficult games you can play,” the Dutchman said at Tuesday’s press conference. Meanwhile, his opposite number Unai Emery described Slot as a “very good manager who always has a very good game plan.” Slot also highlighted the Villans’ recent transfer activities. “They brought in a lot of good players during the winter break and already had a very good team before that.”
Alongside Marco Asensio (on loan from PSG), Axel Disasi (on loan from Chelsea) and Donyell Malen (from Borussia Dortmund), Aston Villa have also signed Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United product was left out in the cold at the Red Devils under new manager Ruben Amorim and is currently seeking a fresh challenge. However, Rashford had been keen on Slot for quite some time. “The first time I met him was on the US tour and I was really impressed by how fast he is. He’s a good size and has great ball skills. He’s a very good player. It would surprise me greatly if a player of this quality didn’t show that in the coming months,” Slot was full of praise.
Will Rashford play from the start?
On Wednesday evening, Rashford should of course hold back so as not to jeopardize the Reds’ plan to expand their lead to ten points. However, it is quite possible that the 27-year-old will make his starting debut after two recent substitute appearances and an assist against Ipswich. Is the clash with Liverpool still a special one for Rashford as a United player because of the long-standing rivalry?
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez are still out of the
slot. While Gakpo, who has been in great form recently, is “on the verge of returning”, Gomez “will need quite a while. He’ll be out for a few weeks. It’s a big blow for him and for us.”
