Reds and Blues in control of CL fate ahead of final day
NEW DELHI: For large periods at the beginning of this year, it seemed Liverpool’s season had gone off the rails. That their title challenge had collapsed was without question. But even hopes of a Champions League place had significantly faded by the time they lost to Fulham at Anfield on March 7.
They had managed just 12 out of a possible 42 points in their previous 14 league games at that stage and were a lowly eighth on the table. Manager Juergen Klopp, despite his success at the club in the last two years, was facing the heat from the media and a section of the fans.
What a turnaround it has been for the Reds in two months—not only have they recovered from that lean phase (they have won seven and drawn two of their last nine games), they are now firmly in control of their fate in terms of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
On Wednesday, Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Burnley put them just one step away from retaining their place in Europe’s premier competition.
The margin of victory was crucial because it put them four goals ahead of fifth-place Leicester on goal difference. Both sides have the same number of points.
“It was a semi-final. We had to win the semi-final and we did. Nothing is decided yet but we improved our position and we have the final. That’s what we needed. It’s what we deserve because this was a top performance,” said Klopp after the win.
With the last game against Crystal Palace at Anfield, which will open up to 10,000 fans, Liverpool are in the driver’s seat. Their return to form has come in just the right time of the campaign. Despite their injury woes this season, Liverpool’s resilience has shone through in recent weeks—the 4-2 win over
Manchester United at Old Trafford and the 2-1 victory at West Brom with goalkeeper Alisson scoring a last-ditch winner being prime examples of the same.
Mohamed Salah’s improved form, Roberto Firmino rediscovering his scoring touch, Thiago finally settling into the midfield and Nat Philips and Rhys Williams coping well in a crisis-hit central defence have helped Liverpool in recent weeks. But the job isn’t finished yet, as Klopp reminded his players on Wednesday.
“We have to make sure we recover quickly. We have a thin squad in some positions. We have to wrap them in cotton wool. I can’t wait for the 10,000 fans at Anfield. Nothing is decided—palace are strong,” Klopp said, exercising caution ahead of the final day.
Three teams are in contention for the two remaining Champions League spots—champions Manchester City and secondplaced Man United have already qualified—and have everything to play for on Sunday. Thirdplaced Chelsea, on 67 points and a point ahead of both Liverpool and Leicester, face a tricky fixture away at Birmingham against Aston Villa.
A win will be enough for the Blues to make it to the Champions League.
If they lose and finish outside the top-four, they can still qualify for the tournament next season by beating Man City in this season’s final on May 29. The London giants have shown significant improvements since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival as manager and with the Champions League final coming up, a win on Sunday will do no harm for the team’s morale, along with sealing the third spot.
For Liverpool too, a win should be enough against Crystal Palace. Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, on the other hand, will face the toughest challenge. Theoretically, they can still make the Champions League cut even if both Liverpool and Chelsea win. But that scenario will require them to beat Tottenham with a victory margin of four more goals than Liverpool’s.
The more likely scenarios for their qualification would require them to beat Spurs and either of Chelsea or Liverpool to drop points in the simultaneous fixtures. Last season, Leicester had occupied the top four spots for most of the season before slipping out on the final day. The FA Cup winners could end up in a similar situation this time unless either Villa or Palace do them a favour.