Ernesto Valverde's plans for Liverpool Champions League showdown
The coach wants La Liga wrapped up as soon as possible to switch focus
Ernesto Valverde, as he's paid to do, needs to pick up some paper, a pen and a calendar and decide what players he will take to Vitoria on Tuesday, where Barcelona have the chance to take another step towards the La Liga tite. A win at Alaves would not seal the crown, but it would be a matter of time. It could even be on Wednesday, if Valencia beat Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Keeping in mind that Valverde's shown throughout his Camp Nou tenure that he's not one to speculate, it's unlikely he will repeat the squad which faced Huesca. On that occasion, three days before the Manchester United game in the Champions League, he made 10 changes to his team. However, before the first leg against United, he made no changes, because the game before was against Atletico Madrid.
TIME FOR LIVERPOOL
Things are different this time because the Alaves game comes over a week before the Liverpool game Barça still have to play Levante before then at Camp Nou on Saturday, too. Valverde, is he acts as he has done so far, will pick a strong team to the game at Mendizorroza with the idea of earning three points. Logic invited the thought that he will pick a strong squad, but it wouldn't be a complete surprise if some players are rested. Changes will be minimal, but there could be some breaks.
LEVANTE ROTATIONS
Beating Alaves is vital so that, against Levante, players can rest ahead of Liverpool's Camp Nou visit on May 1. It would be the ideal stage to make some changes before the game against the English side. In fact, for Valverde it was vital to get three points against Real Sociedad at the weekend to keep his plan intact. The Huesca plan could come back into force against Levante if the Catalans return from Vitoria with three points.
Valverde could rest the likes of Messi, Suarez, Rakitic and Jordi Alba, who will be vital against Jurgen Klopps's side in Europe. With La Liga won, save the maths, the absolute priority is the Champions League, that "beautiful, much-desired trophy" which everyone at the club wants to get their hands on.
