Why fifth-place finish would see Liverpool qualify for Champions League after upcoming UEFA rule change

The current Champions League format will be revamped from the 2024/25 season - and it could have a major impact on Liverpool and other English clubs.

The controversial format will see the competition expand from 32 clubs to 36, with the traditional group stage removed.

Instead, each of the 36 clubs that qualify will each play eight games, with four of those fixtures taking place at home and four away.

The teams who finish between first and eighth in the new league stage will automatically qualify for the last 16 phase. Meanwhile, teams in ninth to 24th places will contest a two-legged play-off to determine the other eight clubs involved in the last 16.

From there, the knockout stage is unchanged from the current format, with the remaining teams doing battle to lift the Champions League trophy.

As well as the new format, meanwhile, there is another significant change set to be implemented by UEFA which could have a significant impact on clubs in England.

New UEFA rule benefits Liverpool and other clubs

Additional slots for the new Champions League will be allocated to the two best-performing European nations over the previous season, using UEFA's co-efficient system.

Furthermore, another slot is given to the fifth-placed nation in UEFA's rankings.

If the new rules were applied for next season, both England and Italy would be granted an additional Champions League place, as clubs from the two nations have performed strongest during the current 2022/23 campaign.

In England's case, therefore, the team who finished in fifth place in the Premier League - currently Liverpool - would be granted a spot in the competition, despite not making it into the top four.

Unfortunately for the Reds, or whichever club places in fifth this season, the extra spot will only be granted based on next season's co-efficient rankings in time for the new format to begin.

But it is certainly a fallback option for clubs who are unable to finish in the top four - as long as English clubs continue to perform well in Europe.