Liverpool can guarantee Champions League football next season with a win over Chelsea at Anfield. Here’s how they can secure a top-five place this weekend.
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The Reds fell to a 3-2 defeat to Man United last weekend in a blow to their hopes of early qualification for next season’s Champions League.
But with three games still to play a top-five finish is firmly in their hands – a maximum of four points are required – and can be guaranteed as early as this weekend.
Liverpool will secure a Champions League spot if:
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Bournemouth are currently six points behind Liverpool in sixth, with those results meaning Andoni Iraola’s side could no longer catch the Reds in the final two games.
There is also the possibility of Liverpool clinching top five this weekend if:
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Of course that seems an unlikely scenario particularly with both Bournemouth and Brentford in strong form, but it remains a possibility heading into the weekend.
Either way a win over Chelsea would make it almost certain that Liverpool will finish in the top five, with only a point needed against Aston Villa and Brentford in the final two games even without other results going their way.
Villa head coach Unai Emery is now seemingly prioritising the Europa League, having fielded a weakened team against Tottenham last weekend with an eye on Thursday’s semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.
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They lost 2-1 at home to Tottenham which kept Liverpool in fourth via goal difference and opened up the race for a top-five finish.
Qualifying for the Champions League is viewed as imperative for Arne Slot, with a place in the league phase worth a minimum of €18.62m (£16.1m) before any bonuses for wins or draws.
By reaching the quarter-finals of this season’s competition, Liverpool earned around £95 million in total – by way of comparison, if Villa win the Europa League their prize money would be an estimated £26 million.