Liverpool will take to the Anfield pitch for the final time in 2022/23 as Aston Villa make the trip to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp's side will be aiming to maintain their near-perfect record on home soil this term, which has seen only Leeds United claim three points on their travels. Three points will be required to keep alive faint Champions League hopes, with any other result effectively ruling the Reds out of the race.
It promises to be an emotional day inside Anfield as Liverpool say goodbye to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino, each of whom have been involved in the journey which has seen the team become champions of England and Europe.
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Looking ahead to Saturday's Premier League contest, four supporters have shared their views as part of the weekly ECHO fan column.
Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Afternoon of farewells awaits
It gladdened the soul to hear a fifteen-minute strong rendition of ‘Si Senor’ ring around the King Power Stadium on Monday. Undoubtedly a precursor of what to expect on Saturday, Robert Firmino is just one player who will deserve all of the adoration thrown his way come the final whistle this weekend. Of course, it will be emotional waving goodbye to another pillar of our classic front three, but we'll also be bidding farewell to an ultimate professional in the form of James Milner.
I've seen some rather harsh remarks online about the likes of Naby Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who have been hampered by injuries since they came into the fold, but ultimately that's football and not every new signing can flourish. I think it's important to remember that each player has contributed where they can, who can forget Oxlade-Chamberlain's rocket against Manchester City in the Champions League? Once such sentiment is behind us, though, these departures will tee us up for an exciting and busy summer on the transfer market.
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Man City performance raises concern ahead of next season
Liverpool’s resurgence continued after a dominant display against a fragile Leicester team. To remain within touching distance of the top four after an indifferent season is some feat, not least because of the quality of Liverpool’s competitors for the top four position.
There is much to be optimistic about as the season draws to a close: Trent is looking more at home in Liverpool’s midfield as each game passes and this has coincided with Curtis Jones beginning to bud in a more advanced midfield role.
Those midfield improvements should not conceal the wider midfield cracks that have been so often evident this season, however. Quality midfield reinforcements remain essential, notwithstanding recent midfield improvements.
Manchester City looked worryingly imperious as they marched past Real Madrid on Wednesday night, and they remain the benchmark for next season. It was pleasing to see Madrid swatted after the pain they have inflicted on Liverpool in recent times, but also in equal measure displeasing to see Man City’s force. If Liverpool could steal a top four position, it would be uplifting after a deflating season.
David Shams (Washington D.C., @ShamsWriter) - Liverpool should have too much for Villa
European nights are guaranteed for next season. It won’t matter if it’s a Thursday night in Baku or places more familiar earlier in the week, the end-of-season form has given us hope for what comes next. Ignition has finally led to lift-off. A team firing on all cylinders, no longer sputtering match to match.
We know the adjustments, we know the players who’ve stepped up and just how fun the team has become - not that fun is a prerequisite for fandom. The mentality monsters spoken of in seasons past have found a new vein of intensity, one that could very well lead to Liverpool coming flying out the traps on Saturday after the most iconic of football anthems.
Aston Villa represents a final home match for Firmino, Milner, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain. It will be an emotional farewell for all four, who have all found ways to contribute to our recent success. An intriguing match awaits for the neutrals. In the end, the Big Red Machine 2.0 will be far too much for Unai Emery's Europe-chasing side.
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Opportunity is there to deliver departing quartet perfect send-off
Pleasingly, in the spirit of last week, Liverpool further enhanced their footballing Euro vision with Monday night’s assured win at Leicester. That further boosted our Champions League hopes and secured at least a Europa League spot for 2023/24. Seeing Scousers Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold score so stylishly and continue to shine so brightly, within another well-balanced collective display, was wonderful.
The sights and sounds of the away end, and Roberto Firmino’s familiarly warm smile in response, spoke volumes. Since the Brazilian’s arrival in July 2015, the mutual affection has simply grown and grown. What a footballer. What a person. A goalscorer. A connector. No-look finishes may be a trademark of his, yet he so often seems all-seeing on the pitch, such is his awareness.
Wednesday brought confirmation that he, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta will depart this summer. A marker of ongoing change. They’ve each played valuable and varied roles over the years and, hopefully, Anfield can wave them off with a big win on Saturday over an Aston Villa side who’ve been one of the Premier League’s strongest in 2023.
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