Liverpool’s dramatic 5-4 victory at Norwich City on Saturday leaves them within eight points of the top four an qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Currently in seventh positions, the Reds have a busy schedule over the next month, competing in the League Cup semi-final, FA Cup fourth round and UEFA Europa League, on top of their league matches.
Of the teams above them, Leicester City and West Ham do not have any European competition this season which many would suggest is very favourable during the business end of the season. However, no-one expected these two sides to be competing for Champions League football at the start of the season, or in Leicester’s case, the Premier League trophy!
Despite a lot of competitions to compete in around their next few league fixtures, fans must be confident their side can pick up nine points from their next league fixtures; Leicester City (away), Sunderland (home) and Aston Villa (away) before the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
With Liverpool’s inconsistencies under Jurgen Klopp, perhaps Liverpool fans won’t be so confident. Particularly up front where they have striker issues – Daniel Sturridge injured, Danny Ings injured, Divock Origi injured, and many fans wishing Christian Benteke was injured.
However, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for the Reds as they have been strongly linked with a move for Shakhtar Donetsk star Alex Teixeira this month, with the Express reporting a breakthrough in negotiations this week.
The Brazilian has scored a staggering 22 goals in only 15 league matches so far this season. Arguably, the league is only between Shakhtar and Dynamo Kiev – Teixeira would face much tougher teams and defences that he is currently defending.
Teixeira however did score three goals in six Champions League group stage matches, which included playing both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain twice.
There’s no doubt that the 26-year-old would be a major coup for Liverpool if they were both successful in having a bid accepted by the Ukrainian Premier League leaders and agreeing a contract wirth the player. Should Liverpool land the star, would you back them at 4/1 to finish in the top four? Or even with Teixeira would this still be a lay bet?
The Merseyside club do face competition with fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea also rumoured to be interested in the Brazilian’s services.
One thing’s for sure, should either side land Alex Teixeira this month, they will finish higher than they currently sit in the Premier League.
Liverpool could do with his services in time for February when their next Premier League match is at leaders Leicester City.
