Once again, Tottenham Hotspur may watch another's celebration. Liverpool's league title is nearing. Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) will have to watch from the sidelines due to an injury. Can he channel that emotion towards winning?
Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory against Leicester City in the Premier League Round 33 on the 21st (Korean time), recording 79 points and solidifying their first place in the league.
Arsenal drew 2-2 in their home game against Crystal Palace on the 24th, increasing the points gap between the two teams to 12. The remaining matches are Arsenal with 4 games, Liverpool with 5 games. If Liverpool adds just 1 point, the title is secured.
Liverpool will face Tottenham in the 34th round at Anfield on the 28th. Even a draw in this match would bring them to 80 points, effectively securing the title. Currently, Tottenham is struggling with a record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 5 losses over their last 7 league matches, while also competing in the Europa League semifinals, raising the possibility of some rotation.
Unfortunately, this may be a familiar scene for Son Heung-min. In the 2018-2019 Champions League final, Tottenham lost 0-2 to Liverpool, and Son had to swallow his disappointment as he watched Liverpool's victory celebration. The scene of manager Jurgen Klopp comforting a tearful Son has left a lasting impression on football fans.
In the 2020-2021 season, Tottenham lost to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final. At that time, Son expressed his strong desire for victory, saying, "It's not a moment to be proud of yet. If we lose in the final, both the players and the fans will be upset," and added, "Everyone wants to win. I especially want to bring the trophy for the fans."
Son Heung-min's heartfelt wish did not come true. Tottenham lost 0-1, and Son ultimately shed tears. The moment when his former teammate Gareth Bale approached and patted him on the shoulder is still remembered by many. Facing another possible Liverpool victory, the chances for redemption seem low.
Even this time, there is a high chance that Son Heung-min will not participate. Due to a foot injury, he is likely to be excluded from the squad for the Liverpool match. Still, even if he cannot play, he may once again have to witness another team lifting the championship trophy on the pitch.
Tottenham is currently showing strong performance in the Europa League with a semifinal appearance this season, but they have yet to prove themselves as a strong team in the league. While Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal are competing as title contenders, Tottenham is facing a dismal 16th place, which paints a picture of watching "another's party."
Nevertheless, there remains a chance for Son Heung-min to win a trophy. Tottenham will face Bodo on May 2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, in the first leg of the 2024-2025 UEL semifinals. For Tottenham, it's crucial to secure a win at home before heading to the away leg. Winning the UEL is Tottenham's last hope this season.
In fact, Tottenham is in 16th place in the Premier League and there is a significant possibility they could finish the season in 17th. They have already lost 18 out of 33 matches. If they lose just two more in the remaining 5 matches, they would achieve the unprecedented record of 20 losses since the inception of the Premier League. However, if they reach the top in the UEL, they can end a 17-year trophy drought since the 2007-2008 season.
This is also a precious opportunity for Son Heung-min to win. He has spent 10 years at Tottenham but has yet to win a club career trophy. It remains to be seen whether watching Liverpool's league victory could motivate Son.
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