The Premier League title is now just a formality for Liverpool. Oliver Glasner, of all people, could become the champion maker with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Oliver Glasner could make Liverpool English champions ahead of schedule. If his team Crystal Palace wins at Arsenal on Wednesday evening, the Reds will be mathematically certain of the title. Liverpool would equal Manchester United’s record as record champions with their 20th league trophy, the first since 2020. Glasner promised to field the best possible team despite Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.
“We are looking forward to our Champions League week,” said Glasner, especially as Arsenal are in the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition and Aston Villa were narrowly beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. “It is possible to beat Arsenal. But to do that, we really have to perform at our best,” said the Upper Austrian. ‘Arsenal are in great form. They’ve beaten Real Madrid twice and are playing at home. We have to defend very strongly, with conviction, and also create our own chances in attack.’
Arsenal likely to finish runners-up again
Crystal Palace is twelfth in the table after picking up just one point from its last three games, but could still have its most successful league season in terms of points. The club also has the chance to win its first ever trophy in the cup. According to Glasner, the semi-final at Wembley Stadium is a “huge game.” The 50-year-old announced two or three changes to his team. “But not because we rate Saturday’s game higher, but because we need to be in top physical and mental shape to be competitive against Arsenal.”
The second-placed team will face PSG in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final next Tuesday. However, resting his top players in the dress rehearsal is not an option for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. Offensive star Bukayo Saka, who has been struggling recently, could also start. “Our motivation is to win our game and give our best to continue our run of success,” Arteta explained. The Gunners have not lost a competitive game in eleven consecutive matches. Nevertheless, they are likely to finish runners-up for the third time in a row. Arsenal are 13 points behind. If Liverpool win against Tottenham on Sunday, the leaders will secure the title with four games to go.
