**Liverpool remains in the hunt for Champions League qualification despite a setback at Manchester City. We take a look at the road ahead as Virgil van Dijk issues a defiant message to his teammates.**
While their trajectory has trended upward in recent weeks, the clock is ticking loudly in their pursuit of Champions League qualification ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea. With only 13 games remaining on the schedule, the margin for error has evaporated.
Following a grueling [2-1 defeat to Manchester City](https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/van-dijk-liverpool-man-city-reaction-tactical-chaos/), the battle for European football has reached a tight mark, leaving the Reds four points adrift of the Champions League spots provided the Premier League secures five qualifying positions again this year.
The recent loss to City acted as a cold shower for a team that had finally started to build momentum. Liverpool now faces a psychological battle as much as a tactical one. To bridge a four-point gap in just over a dozen games, the Reds need to maintain a win rate that rivals their title-winning seasons.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and Chelsea continue to hover within reach, but they possess the luxury of a points cushion. Liverpool can no longer afford to simply play well; they must become “mentality monsters” once again, ensuring that every narrow draw turns into a hard-fought three points.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is leading the charge for accountability within the dressing room. He isn’t interested in excuses regarding the schedule or injuries. Instead, he is calling for a return to the clinical, winning edge that defined the Klopp era.
The captain recognises that while the team is heading in the right direction, “direction” doesn’t put points on the table results do.
> “Every game that is coming our way, we have to make sure we are getting towards the top four or top five,” Van Dijk said. “But we need better performances. Finding ways to win, that is something that we can focus on and we have to keep on focusing on as well.”
His message is simple: the team must prioritize the result over the process. Whether it’s a scrappy 1-0 win or a high-scoring shootout, the method matters less than the three points at the final whistle.
The race for European qualification has turned into a high-stakes game of musical chairs. Because the Premier League’s fifth-place spot is likely to grant entry into the Champions League, the pressure has intensified on the traditional “Big Six.”
To achieve this comeback, Liverpool must sharpen their defensive transitions, which cost them dearly in the 2-1 loss to City. Furthermore, the frontline must find a way to stay clinical during high-pressure moments. [Van Dijk’s insistence](https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/van-dijk-liverpool-man-city-reaction-tactical-chaos/) on “better performances” serves as a public challenge to his teammates to stop the rot of inconsistent away form.
The hunt is officially on. If Liverpool can channel the frustration of their recent defeat into a relentless pursuit of the teams above them, a top-five finish remains possible. However, if they falter in even two of their next few matches, the Champions League anthem might not ring out at Anfield next year.
Certainly. The race for European football has reached a critical juncture. Following the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool sits in 6th place with 39 points, chasing Manchester United (44) and Chelsea (43).
While 13 games remain for Liverpool, their rivals have a slight advantage in the standings. Below is a comparison of their upcoming “sprint” and the high-stakes “six-pointers” that will likely decide the top five.
**Team**
**Next 5 Fixtures**
**Crucial “Six-Pointer” Matches**
**Difficulty Rating**
**Liverpool**
Sunderland (A), Forest (A), West Ham (H), Wolves (A), Spurs (H)
vs. Tottenham (Mar 15), vs. **Man Utd** (May 2)
**Moderate**
**Man Utd**
West Ham (A), Everton (A), Palace (H), Newcastle (A), Villa (H)
vs. Newcastle (Mar 4), vs. **Chelsea** (Apr 18), vs. **Liverpool** (May 2)
**High**
**Chelsea**
Leeds (H), Burnley (H), Arsenal (A), Villa (A), Newcastle (H)
vs. Arsenal (Mar 1), vs. **Man Utd** (Apr 18), vs. Man City (Apr 11)
**Very High**
On paper, Liverpool possesses the most favorable run-in over the next month. While Manchester United must travel to St. James’ Park and Chelsea faces a brutal stretch against Arsenal and Manchester City, the Reds face several teams currently in the bottom half of the table.
Liverpool must solve their road woes. Trips to Sunderland and Nottingham Forest are exactly the type of matches where Van Dijk’s “finding a way to win” philosophy must manifest.
Mark your calendar for May 2nd. Arne Slot side travel to Old Trafford for what could essentially be a play-off for the final Champions League spot.
Liverpool’s path to the top five requires them to be perfect in February and March. Because Chelsea and Manchester United have several games against each other and the top three (Arsenal/City/Villa), they _will_ drop points. Liverpool’s job is simply to be in a position to pounce when those slips happen.