Liverpool news: Medical expert claims Emiliano Martinez ‘could have played’ v Man City
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez “could have played” in the final-day clash against Man City – but Steven Gerrard made the right choice to leave him out.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Martinez, 29, was not selected by Villa boss Gerrard for the game at the Etihad last Sunday (22 May), which ended 3-2 to City after a dramatic late turnaround.
That result handed the home side the title ahead of Liverpool, for whom Gerrard is a legend.
Martinez is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the business and started every league match for Villa up until game week 38.
He will represent Argentina in the Finalissima match against Italy at Wembley next Wednesday (2 June).
Dinnery suggests that the shot-stopper could have played against City but was likely focused on the upcoming international clash.
“He pulled up in training with a little problem on the eve of game week 37,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“There was a question mark in terms of his availability then but he played through the pain barrier. But I don’t think it was anything too serious.
“Could he have played if Villa really needed him to? Probably, but it was effectively a dead rubber for Villa.
“Robin Olsen is a fairly able deputy. It was the right thing to do to give him that leeway ahead of that game against Italy.”
Martinez has 16 caps for Argentina.
He kept 11 clean sheets in the league this term.
In other news, pundit can’t believe Aston Villa could sanction “£40m” John McGinn deal after Tottenham report.