Eyes will be on Fernandes to see what he can muster against Arsenal. — AP
THERE’S no letting up on the pressure of Liverpool’s pursuit of the English Premier League title. None.
They might have had last weekend off, given that they were knocked out of the FA Cup earlier, but they were back on the road in midweek.
They clashed with Paris St Germain in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Yet again it proved a difficult test – one which they eventually won, albeit by the odd and sterling performance from goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Today they’ll be at home to bottom club Southampton, and even if it does look like a foregone conclusion, rest assured Arne Slot and his charges will be giving this game the same treatment they’ve given all their league matches this season – full attention.
Of course, that’s not to say that Liverpool will play as well as they did when they dismantled one of the top four contenders, Newcastle United, or champions Manchester City in their last two league outings.
They might not get their intensity levels up where they want it to be, but they’ll endeavour to do so all the same.
If they do manage to turn in a performance as they did in those last two league games, Southampton will be in for a torrid time.
There’s a strong sense that things will unfold precisely that way. And the Saints would be consigned to their 23rd league defeat of the season, as the Reds march on towards a 20th league crown – one that would equal the record of their old foes, Manchester United.
Slot has done remarkably well since taking over at Anfield in the off-season. And at present, he is on cue to capture the league title at his first attempt. And that would be something special.
Should he pull it off, he will almost surely turn to his squad and tip his hat, or cap.
Liverpool’s strength this season has been their consistency and cohesiveness in all areas of the game.
Each department does have a figure or two a fraction of a notch or so above the rest, and the fans will hope this continues into May.
In defence, Virgil van Dijk has been as efficient as a central defender and captain can be.
Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation of sorts in the midfield despite the prowess of the others, and Mohamed Salah in attack has been the best of the lot so far.
If these lads, along with other protagonists like Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz get going today, Southampton will feel much more pain than the narrow 3-2 defeat they endured in the reverse fixture in November.
Cody Gakpo missed the Paris encounter and, at the time of writing, it was still unclear if he would be able to feature in today’s clash.
For their part, Southampton manager Ivan Juri will possibly just be hoping to keep the score down to a bare minimum, knowing that Liverpool are unlikely to extend any sympathies.
Indeed, the Reds have been ruthless on occasion, and they might yet view Southampton’s visit to Anfield as one of those calls.
Nearly certain to return to the Championship division after promotion last season, the Saints have battled without success this term, and they might feel the full force of a marauding Liverpool side bent on maintaining their grip on the title race at the top of the standings.
Fourth-placed Man City’s visit to third-placed Nottingham Forest will excite many.
Pep Guardiola’s crestfallen Citizens are currently struggling to regain their footing in a league they have dominated for the past decade and a bit.
With just one point between them, a win would make a telling difference for the reigning champions.
For Nuno Espírito Santo’s young Forest side, another good, committed performance is all they’ll be concerned about.
That’s what has served them so well this term – so why would they want to stop now, with Champions League football in sight next season?
A close encounter with the odd goal separating the sides is a popular call.
City should nick it, though, given their experience and determined efforts to come good again.
