It has been another excellent season of Premier League football, and neutrals have got their wish, as the destination of the league title will be decided on the final day. Liverpool managed to keep up their fight with victory on the road against Southampton, which means that Manchester City will need to beat Aston Villa at the Etihad to win their second straight Premier League title.
The Reds remain the outsiders in the Point Spread betting market for the outright winner, but could they overthrow Pep Guardiola’s side on the final day of the 2021-22 season?
Reds Must Do Their Job
Before worrying about how Manchester City are getting on in their final fixture of the season, Liverpool must do their job.
The Reds end their season with a fixture at Anfield against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which was ironically their final fixture of the 2018-19 season as they were beaten to the title on the final day by City.
Liverpool took the fight to the final day after a 2-1 midweek win against Southampton, with Joel Matip scoring the winning goal for a much-changed Reds side.
Jurgen Klopp threatened to end the Liverpool title challenge pre-match, as he made nine changes to the team that won the FA Cup final just days earlier, but there was still enough class within the team to get the win.
It is a good final fixture of the season for the Reds, as Wolves have nothing to fight for, as they look set to end the season in eighth. Liverpool also has an excellent league record in this fixture, as they have won each of the previous ten matches that they have played against their opponents from the Black Country.
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Liverpool Relying On Helping Hand From Familiar Face
Sometimes the script in the Premier League writes itself, and this season is no different. Liverpool will be hoping for a helping hand from one of their own on the final day of the season, as ex-captain Steven Gerrard takes his Aston Villa side to the Etihad in a bid to deny City their Premier League crown.
Pep Guardiola will be aware that only a win will be enough to seal the league title should Liverpool pick up the expected three points against Wolves, which means that there is no room for error following their 2-2 draw against West Ham last weekend.
The irony of the whole situation on the final day is that Gerrard could help deliver Liverpool a second league title in three years, despite the top-flight English title being the one honor that evaded him throughout his stay at Anfield.
However, the ball is still very much in the court of City. The reigning champions have an extremely strong record against the Villa, as they have won their last six meetings against the side from the Midlands, while they are also unbeaten in 12 across all competitions.
There is also a second narrative heading into the fixture, as former Villa captain Jack Grealish left the club for Manchester City in the summer for £100 million in the hope of winning major titles. He will have the opportunity to win a first for City against his former side.
Who Will Be Crowned Champions?
This will be the ninth time in Premier League history that the title will be decided on the final day. However, Liverpool will be looking to do something that no other side has managed, and that is to go top on the final day of the season.
On all eight previous occasions, the side sitting with the most points in the league has won the Premier League title, including Manchester City in the 2011-12, 2013-14, and 2018-19 seasons.
It’s likely that both sides will pick up the wins that they require to keep their end of the bargain on the final day of the season, especially considering the dominant records that City and Liverpool have over their respective rivals.
If that should play out, then City will be crowned champions, and Liverpool’s attention will swiftly turn towards the Champions League final as they look to end an excellent season with three major honors.
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