Key events
Full time: Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa
Itâs always a triumph when an MBM preamble is out of date before the match has kicked off. Spurs might be back in the Champions League race after Aston Villa lost 1-0 at Brighton. It means Spurs are seven points behind Villa with two games in hand. One of them is against Manchester City, so they probably need to win today to have a realistic chance of finishing fourth.
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Premier League latest
In-form Chelsea are battering West Ham in their 2pm game. The match between Brighton and Aston Villa is goalless. But it might not be for long: a penalty has just been awarded. Clickity click click click.
Spurs won the return fixture 2-1 back in September, though that game will always be remembered for the goal that wasnât.
Team news: Salah starts, Richarlison dropped
Mo Salah replaces Ryan Gravenberch, the only change from Liverpoolâs 2-2 draw at West Ham. That means Harvey Elliott will move back into midfield.
Ange Postecoglou also makes one change: Rodrigo Bentancur comes in for Richarlison, which probably means Son Heung-min will play up front.
Preamble
Misery loves company, so itâs only right that Liverpool and Tottenham should meet today. After seven months of optimism, even euphoria at times, their seasons have turned to dust. Liverpool are out of the title race after dropping 10 points in the last five games; Spurs are out of the Champions League race after haemorrhaging 11 points in the same period. If theyâre not careful they could miss out on the Europa League as well.
Liverpool will be keen to put on a show in Jurgen Kloppâs penultimate game at Anfield. Stricly speaking they need a win to stay in the title race, though reality has already bitten on that score. In the grand scheme, finishing third and winning a trophy â especially in such a feelgood manner â represents a good season for a team who were in transition even before Klopp announced his departure.
Spurs have had a fine season too: theyâve rediscovered their identity, found a long-term manager and doubled down on the tactical tweak du jour. Like Liverpool, theyâve been badly hit by injuries. And like Liverpool, they probably arenât in the mood to celebrate the 2023-24 season just yet.
Kick off 4.30pm.
