Liverpool hand Man Utd major boost with Carabao Cup win over Chelsea
Liverpool may well have handed Manchester United a major boost after winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
A Reds side featuring a host of youngsters because of first-team injuries, beat Chelsea at Wembley, with captain Virgil van Dijk coming up with the extra time winner.
Van Dijk, who had a header controversially ruled out for offside earlier on, scored with the 42nd attempt on goal just two minutes before penalties were scheduled.
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It was Jurgen Klopp's eighth major trophy win and one that he described as "the most special" ahead of his departure at the end of the season.
Liverpool now have ten League Cups to their name and have moved past United on 68 trophies, therefore becoming the most successful club in English football history.
But the triumph is also good news for United in another sense. According to Simon Stoney, Liverpool's win means sixth place in the Premier League is guaranteed to play in Europe next season.
United, who won the Carabao Cup last term, currently occupy the position following a tenth defeat of the season at the hands of Fulham on Saturday.
The Carabao Cup winners typically secure qualification for next season's Europa Conference League, unless they are participating in another European competition.
BBC journalist Stoney wrote: "Liverpool victory means sixth spot in PL will defo get a European place."
Liverpool are leading the Premier League table and on course to return to the Champions League next season.
But it remains to be seen as to which competition sixth place will be qualifying for next term.
As it stands, sixth place will qualify for the Europa Conference League but that could change.
Aston Villa got into the UEFA's third club competition last season after coming seventh because of United's cup win and third-place finish.
Villa were also aided as Manchester City won the FA Cup and had already secured a spot in the Champions League.
The same will happen if this season's FA Cup winner qualifies for one of UEFA's two main competitions.
There could be a scenario where the team that is eighth gets the Conference League spot if England is given an extra Champions League spot for the fifth-ranked side in the Premier League.
That depends on the UEFA coefficient ratings, based on a nation's recent performance in European competition.
The two top nations will be given an extra spot, though England are currently third - behind Germany and Italy in the standings.
Topics: Liverpool, Chelsea, Carabao Cup, Man Utd
Josh Lawless