Brendan Rodgers can’t have been surprised at the questions regarding his future at Liverpool after their meek performance in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa.

The Reds came up short like Jack Grealish’s under-seven’s shinpads, although it has to be said that the 19-year-old Villa midfielder played like a seasoned pro. English football has a new talent to ruin (see the opportunistic and spirit-crushingly dull ‘laughing gas’ newspaper stories).

Anyway, Liverpool were a mess in arguably their most important game of the season. Steven Gerrard’s long farewell is a distraction, while Mario Balotelli’s status as a professional footballer remains in dispute.

Rodgers, though, yesterday made it clear he thought he was still the best man for the job.

But if a certain charismatic hipster German with designer stubble, trendy glasses and a proven ability to coach a club to silverware thinks otherwise, then the powerbrokers at Anfield would do well to listen.

Rodgers is a very good coach but if the club are not presently considering the talents of departing Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, they should be.

It’s a double week for Fantasy managers this week. Cue the giddy use of all remaining wildcards.

Tomorrow’s games

Kick off 11am unless stated

Southampton v Tottenham

8.45am

Mauricio Pochettino goes back to St Mary’s for the first time since swapping the South Coast for North London. Who would have thought the Argentine would be just one point above his former club at this stage of the season?

Both teams have run out of steam but are still playing decent football. This is, of course, a key game in the race for the Europa League that no one wants to win. An honourable draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Burnley v Leicester City

Leicester have won three out of three, while Burnley have failed to win 11 of their past 12 league matches.

The home side are struggling for goals with Danny Ings misfiring but they are always a well-drilled outfit. Will that be enough to defeat a Leicester side who can sense a stunning escape act? Probably not.

Prediction: 1-2

Crystal Palace v Hull City

Six games without a win is evidence that Hull are sinking fast. Palace slipped up at rather surprisingly at home to WBA last week and should give their fans a response.

The game, though, is far more important to Hull and they desperately need a lift.

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle v Swansea

Having sat through Newcastle’s defeat to Spurs, which made it six defeats in a row for manager John Carver, it was yet more confirmation that the club are going nowhere fast.

Swansea, on the other hand, are a model of unity led with aplomb by rookie manager Gary Monk. For the good of the game, away win.

Prediction: 0-1

QPR v West Ham United

The home side have put in some improved performances recently but remain in dire straits. However, a lacklustre Hammers — with manager Sam Allardyce seemingly on the way out at the end of the season — look ripe for the picking.

Prediction: 2-1

Stoke City v Sunderland

Stoke are ambling nicely towards their summer holidays but they will probably still have enough to defeat an ailing Sunderland.

Prediction: 2-1

West Brom v Liverpool

All Liverpool now have to play for is an unlikely place in the top four, which would require an almighty collapse by Manchester City.

Their fans will live in hope but anything other than a win for the Reds and it’s all over, surely.

Prediction: 1-2

Man City v Aston Villa

Villa will naturally be on a high after booking their place in the FA Cup final but City will be refocused on avoiding the embarrassment of missing out on the top four. City’s squad are strong but wounded. A draw.

Prediction: 2-2

Sunday’s games

Everton v Manchester United

9.30am

Surprisingly, Everton have kept five clean sheets in their past six home games, which is at odds with their overall flimsy defensive image.

However, United, despite the defeat to Chelsea last time out, are finishing the season strongly and look a good bet to chalk up an away win and strengthen their top-four spot.

Prediction: 1-3

Arsenal v Chelsea

12pm

Arsene Wenger has never managed to beat Jose Mourinho, which must pain the Frenchman greatly given how closely his footballing philosophy aligns with the Portuguese. Not.

Both sides are winning matches but what’s the betting Mourinho will play ultra-safe, nullify the home flair players and probably emerge from an ugly game victors?

Chelsea need eight points to win the title, by the way.

Prediction: 0-1

Tuesday’s game

Hull City v Liverpool

3.45pm

Definitely an ambitious look into the crystal ball for the midweek games, which will be crucial for our FF managers.

It’s hard to see anything other than an away win but it may be that only one team has anything to play for.

Prediction: 1-2

Wednesday’s game

Leicester City v Chelsea

3.45pm

Having predicted a Chelsea win, they’ll have one eye on collecting the trophy and I’m backing Leicester to grab a point.

Prediction: 1-1