Liverpool is confident of winning the Premier League with the increasing possibility of Son Heung-min (33) missing the game.
Liverpool will face Tottenham in the 34th round of the 2024-2025 English Premier League (EPL) home match at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on the 28th at 12:30 a.m. (Korea time).
Liverpool aims to secure the championship in this match. Currently, Liverpool has 79 points (24 wins, 7 draws, 2 losses) with five league games remaining, leading second-placed Arsenal by 12 points (67 points).
Liverpool can secure its 20th league title with just a draw against Tottenham. Liverpool plans to use Tottenham as a stepping stone to acquire the remaining point needed to lift the championship trophy for the first time in five years since the 2019-2020 season under manager Jürgen Klopp.
Tottenham, led by manager Ange Postecoglou, is currently in 16th place in the league and is more focused on the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) than on the game against Liverpool.
As a result, Tottenham is likely to rotate younger players instead of the starters. In any case, captain Son Heung-min will not be able to play due to a foot injury, so they are unable to field their strongest lineup. Son Heung-min is expected to return to fitness for the UEL clash against Bodo/Glimt (Norway) on May 2.
Liverpool Echo, which reports on Liverpool news, expressed relief on the 25th regarding the news that Son Heung-min will not play. The media noted, "Son Heung-min's chances of missing the trip to Anfield have increased."
It continued, "Tottenham will almost certainly play a supporting role at Anfield," adding, "That day is expected to be a day for Liverpool to win the Premier League."
Son Heung-min has recently been unable to play due to a foot injury. He has missed three consecutive games, starting from the match against Wolverhampton, which ended in a 2-4 loss on the 13th, through the 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEL quarterfinal second leg on the 18th, to the 1-2 defeat against Nottingham Forest on the 22nd.
The reason Liverpool media is particularly cautious about Son Heung-min is simple. Son Heung-min has always been a difficult presence against Liverpool. If he plays, he could obstruct Liverpool's path to victory.
Son Heung-min has faced Liverpool 16 times in the league so far, scoring 7 goals and providing 1 assist. In the first meeting of the season last December, he was silent, but before that, he had scored in five consecutive league games against Liverpool.
Manager Postecoglou also noted, "Players must be in good health to prepare for next Thursday," adding, "Of course, Liverpool will be a good test. If we perform like we did against Forest and maintain our focus, we can have a good game against Liverpool."
In particular, Manager Postecoglou expressed regarding Son Heung-min, "He has been playing with foot issues for a while," stating, "Now is a good time to fully heal that injury. It has not been improving; in fact, it has been worsening."
Matthis Tel is likely to be Son Heung-min's replacement. Tel has started in the last two matches to fill the void left by Son Heung-min. The media anticipates that Tel will work alongside Richarlison in the forward position and Wilson Odobert on the right.
[OSEN]