Liverpool could find themselves playing in the Europa League even if they manage to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
As the season nears its home straight, teams are fighting all over the place in order to achieve their objectives.
Manchester City and Arsenal are set to battle down to the wire for the crown, whilst the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Brentford and Brighton are all in with a shout of finishing in the top four.
However, United, along with Chelsea could have the biggest say in who qualifies for the Champions League.
If Erik ten Hag’s men somehow manage to lose out on fourth place to their fierce rivals Liverpool, they will still have the chance to deny the Anfield club a space in Europe’s elite competition.
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However, for that to happen, United will have to finish outside of the top four, win the Europa League and hope Chelsea win this season’s Champions League.
This is because UEFA only allow five teams from each country to play in the Champions League, with Chelsea’s hopes of finishing fourth fast disappearing, they will qualify if they win the trophy.
United will also qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. This will mean that the top three in the Premier League will join Chelsea and United in next season’s competition, leaving Liverpool demoted into the Europa League.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are not showing any signs that they will be able to catch Spurs, who currently sit fourth.
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After last week’s shocking defeat against Bournemouth, Liverpool are seven points behind the North London club.
On the remainder of the season, Klopp said: “Our job is to squeeze absolutely everything out of this season what is possible. It's a strange one.
“Our recent two games, obviously a sensational performance against Manchester United, which is a real good football team. And then a really bad performance against Bournemouth, which is a good football team as well, but we should not lose this kind of game.”
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Next up for Klopp’s men will be a very difficult test against City at the Etihad Stadium.
Will Liverpool qualify for the Champions League? Only time will tell.
Topics: Liverpool, Champions League, Manchester United, Chelsea, Football
Marcus Chan