Liverpool are facing a tough challenge in their bid for the chances of European qualification. However, they still have a chance if they focus on their own job.
Liverpool’s Electrifying Performance Fuels Champions League Hopes.
The win against Leeds United, though it was their first in six matches, has given some supporters a faint hope that the team can secure a Champions League place.
The 6-1 final score wasn’t even the game’s greatest plus; Diogo Jota scored the Reds’ first goal in a year, Trent Alexander-Arnold excelled in a hybrid midfield position, and Luis Diaz returned after a 190-day injury absence.
The performance was electrifying, and this erratic Liverpool team brought to mind some of their finest performances under Jurgen Klopp.
“[I am] really happy about that game,”
Klopp told Sky Sports.
“I think we forced a lot of errors, [scored] sensational goals, counter-pressing-wise it was the best for, I want to say, decades.
My favourite part was in the 92nd minute – four players chased the poor boy on the ball from Leeds.
I think it is the best game we played this season, in different aspects.”
Can Liverpool Mount Another Late-Season Surge?
The Reds are currently eighth in the Premier League, with eight games left to play, and nine points behind the top four.
However, they can still secure a place in Europe if they win all their remaining games, as the highest points total they can achieve is 71, which would have been enough to secure a top-four spot in all but one of the previous seven seasons in which Jurgen Klopp has been in charge.
Liverpool’s schedule also offers them opportunities for attainable victories, with five of their last eight games at home and two of their remaining three away games against teams in the bottom three.
To achieve their goal, Liverpool will need to perform a near-miracle. They are currently eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and four other clubs stand between them and that coveted fourth spot.
However, the Reds have done it before – in the 2005/2006 season under Rafael Benitez, and in 2018/2019 under Jurgen Klopp.
They have also gained a reputation for finishing the season strongly, taking at least 20 points from the final 24 available in three of the last four seasons.
Liverpool’s Favorable Fixtures and Rivals’ Battles
Although the task may appear daunting, Liverpool fans can take heart from the fact that the teams above them still have to play each other.
The two clubs battling for the title — Arsenal and Manchester City are nearly confirmed to qualify for the Champions League. Excluding them the remaining fixtures in the race for the top four are:
- Manchester United (3rd, P30 Pts 59 GD+9): Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), West Ham (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H). TBA: Brighton (A), Chelsea (H)
- Newcastle United (4th, P30 Pts 56 GD+24): Tottenham (H), Everton (A), Southampton (H), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A). TBA: Brighton (H)
- Tottenham Hotspur (5th, P31 Pts 53 GD+12): Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H), Liverpool (A), C Palace (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A)
- Aston Villa (6th, P31 Pts 50 GD+4): Brentford (A), Fulham (H), Man Utd (A), Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Liverpool (A), Brighton (H)
- Brighton (7th, P29 Pts 49 GD+17): N Forest (A), Wolves (H), Everton (H), Arsenal (A), Southampton (H), Aston Villa (A). TBA: Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H), Man City (H)
- Liverpool (8th, P30 Pts 47 GD+20): N Forest (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Fulham (H), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), Aston Villa (H), Southampton (A)
Opportunities for Liverpool for European qualification
As we can see each of the upper-mentioned clubs except Liverpool and Brighton will have to face 3 clubs, which are fighting for the top four spots i.e. they will have to face each other.
By simple mathematics, they can’t all win. They are bound to lose at least one or two matches leading to loosing crucial points.
Brighton will face 5 teams who are among the top eight. Their probability of qualifying for the Champions League is very slim.
Liverpool will face only 2 of the top eight teams — Tottenham and Aston Villa. If Liverpool wins those matches they will gain 6 points while their competitors will lose those points.
This means that Liverpool can at least control some of what their rivals do, particularly with home games against Tottenham and Aston Villa. Even Europa League qualification is still within their grasp.
Ultimately, Liverpool’s success will depend on their own performances. They need to regain their fighting spirit and show the same level of determination that has made them kings of the unlikely comeback in the past.
Klopp will undoubtedly be urging his players to keep fighting until the very end, and with a little bit of luck, Liverpool may just be able to pull off the impossible.
Passionate about the beautiful game and dedicated to Liverpool FC, where “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is not just a slogan, but a way of life. I live and breathe football, from the roar of the Anfield crowd to the tactical intricacies of the sport.
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