Liverpool face Tottenham in the final round of Premier League matches on Sunday with the London club still holding out hopes of qualifying for Europe. If Harry Redknapp's side can win at Anfield and Fulham lose at Craven Cottage against Everton, Spurs will finish the season in seventh position.
That will be enough to see them qualify for the Europa League - the renamed Uefa Cup - next season. However, they face a formidable challenge as Liverpool are yet to be beaten in the league at home this term.
The Reds will also have their own incentive on the day as a win over the north London club will confirm that Liverpool finish the season in second place behind champions Manchester United, the first time they have been Premier League runners-up since 2002.
Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee said: "It's massively important that we finish second. We always go out to try and win, and this game is no exception.
"It is a massive game for us - it is our last home game and our last game of the season. It would be nice to finish it on a high. "We know it won't be easy - no game is, but it is going to be massive for us and we want to make sure that we get the three points needed to ensure that we keep second place.
"Spurs are a very professional team and they will come here wanting to win, so it won't be easy. "But we have got to be professional and focused because we go into each and every game trying to get the maximum out of it."
The match will be Sami Hyypia's last game for Liverpool after a decade at the club as he has signed a two-year deal to join German side Bayer Leverkusen next season. Hyypia has won every possible domestic trophy except the Premier League during his talismanic career at the heart of Liverpool's defence and Lee was quick to pay tribute to the Finnish defender's time on Merseyside.
He added: "It will be emotional for him - he is an emotional guy through that cool exterior. It will be difficult for him but he goes with our best wishes. "He is a thinker on the game and he understands the game, studies the game and knows the game. "He is looking to improve, move on and evolve and I think he has got all the characteristics needed to be a good coach."
The match is likely to be just as emotional for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who returns to Anfield for the first time since his disastrous spell at the club earlier this term. Liverpool paid Spurs 20.3 million pounds for the Ireland striker last year but he lasted just 28 matches as part of Rafa Benitez's squad before returning to his former club in the January transfer window.
However, the 28-year-old has tried to swerve all discussions relating to his time at Liverpool and insists he just wants to beat his old team so Spurs' dream of European football can come to fruition.
No comments:
Post a Comment