Champions Liverpool Celebrates As Nottingham Forest Keep Champions League Hopes Alive

‎Nottingham Forest’s Champions League journey continues as they prepare for a pivotal clash with Chelsea, while Liverpool is set to finally secure the Premier League trophy.

‎As the English top-flight season comes to an end on Sunday, Forest and Chelsea are among five clubs chasing the three remaining top-five spots, along with Manchester City, Newcastle, and Aston Villa.

‎Unai Emery’s Aston Villa head to a struggling Manchester United, whose frustrations were heightened by their Europa League final loss to Tottenham earlier this week.

‎Sportxparte highlights the key storylines to watch in this weekend’s fixtures.

‎Forest dares to dream about Europe

‎Nottingham Forest has experienced a remarkable resurgence, but they will still leave the season with regrets if they don’t make it to the Champions League.

‎The two-time European champions were last seen in the continent’s top club competition during the 1980/81 season.

‎They have spent most of the season in the top five, but recent weeks have seen their momentum fade. Now, they need to beat rivals Chelsea and rely on Villa or Newcastle dropping points.

‎Although qualifying for the Champions League might still be out of reach, Forest can take comfort in knowing they have secured European football for next season.

‎Last season, Nottingham Forest finished just above the relegation zone.

‎Under Nuno Espirito Santo, they have made an impressive comeback, becoming the first team in Premier League history to double their points from one season to the next.

‎Nuno has also expressed confidence that his team is embracing the challenge against Chelsea despite the pressure.

‎”One thing we are enjoying is preparing for a big match, so why not enjoy it? Everyone is enjoying it here,” he said.

‎Liverpool Crowned Champions

‎Liverpool will finally get the chance to lift the Premier League trophy in front of their home fans after their match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

‎They won their first English league title in 30 years in 2020, but celebrations were limited to behind closed doors because of Covid restrictions.

‎Now, they can celebrate properly with their supporters present.

‎If the reaction at Anfield to their trophy triumph last month, sealed with a 5-1 win against Tottenham, is anything to go by, Sunday’s party will be one to remember.

‎One uncertainty is how fans will say farewell to home-grown defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who seems headed for a move to Real Madrid after revealing his departure earlier this month.

‎The England international was booed during last week’s 2-2 home draw against Arsenal and did not play in the subsequent 3-2 defeat at Brighton.

‎Reds manager Arne Slot says he has not yet made up his mind about what role Alexander-Arnold will have but said he “deserved” to be part of the celebrations.

‎”This should be a day that everybody is going to enjoy,” said Slot.

‎”It’s been 35 years; everybody is waiting for this moment, and I think we’ve set the example against Tottenham.”

‎Manchester United Amid Poor Run

‎It’s hard to foresee the atmosphere at Old Trafford on Sunday when Manchester United hosts top-five rival Aston Villa.

After losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday, United are set to finish with their lowest league position since being relegated in 1974.

‎Ruben Amorim’s men have been desperately poor this season, winning just six league games since the Portuguese took over from the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

‎Villa have only won twice at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, but they go there feeling optimistic. A win could improve their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, depending on other results.

‎They have little to fear against a United team who are disjointed, toothless, and lacking in motivation, with nothing to play for.