Liverpool are on cloud nine following their dramatic Champions League semi-final victory over Roma, which has sealed the Reds their spot in the final against Real Madrid later this month.
Jurgen Klopp’s side still have two Premier League matches to play before the final in Kiev though and face a significant test this weekend, as they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to tackle top-four chasing Chelsea.
The Blues, mathematically at least, are still in with a chance of finishing above Liverpool in the Premier League standings but would require the Reds to fail t owin either of their final two matches – and Mark Lawrenson doesn’t see that happening.
Making his weekly predictions for BBC, the former Liverpool defender predicted a 1-1 draw and said:
“Chelsea can still catch Liverpool and make the top four but I don’t see it happening. Even if the Reds lose this game, they have got a much better goal difference and they would still only need to beat Brighton at Anfield on the final day of the season to make sure of finishing at least fourth.”
“I don’t think Sunday will be plain sailing for Liverpool because their Champions League semi-final in Rome will have taken a lot out of them. It is not so much the physical side of things, more how that game was emotionally draining and they probably will not recover mentally in time. The way they played, I was drained just watching it in the Stadio Olimpico.”
“So, I am going to go for a draw, which would be enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and leave Chelsea trying to salvage something from their season in the FA Cup final.”
