Liverpool is still in position to qualify for the Champions League, but after a draw with Chelsea, the Reds face what could be a nervy final couple of games in the Premier League
08:52, 10 May 2026
Giorgi Mamardashvili & Virgil van Dijk Liverpool react after Chelsea score during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on May 9, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Liverpool still hasn't secured Champions League qualification heading into its final two games(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool didn’t do itself many favors against Chelsea on Saturday - neither with the result or the performance at Anfield.
Being held to a 1-1 draw by a side coming off the back of six straight league defeats is the latest in a long list of dismal results for the Reds this season, and it means that the race for Champions League qualification is certain to go into the penultimate week of the campaign at least.
A win yesterday would have all but completed the job, but instead, there is still the chance that Arne Slot’s side could end up finishing as low as seventh - a fate that would really increase the pressure on the under-fire Liverpool boss.
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Liverpool has three rivals remaining for a top-five finish - Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Brighton. Here’s how the Reds’ final games compare with those teams…
Liverpool
Aston Villa (A) - May 15
Brentford (H) - May 24
For Liverpool to have let it get this far is a damning indictment of its performances this season. It should still secure Champions League qualification at this point, but it feels like we've been saying that for a while.
A win at Villa on Friday would do the job, with three points needed to guarantee a spot in the top five, and the Reds' next opponents do have the small matter of a Europa League final to contend with, so you'd expect Unai Emery to make some changes. Lose that game though, and Liverpool could face a very nervy final game of the season at home to Brentford.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the Anfield touchline
Arne Slot still has work to do to get Liverpool into the Champions League(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa
Burnley (A) - May 10
Liverpool (H) - May 15
Man City (A) - May 24
Villa is yet to play this weekend, and with Burnley already relegated, it would come as no great shock if Liverpool ended up dropping to fifth by the end of the day.
That game at Villa Park on Friday is looking a lot more important than it perhaps should have done. Villa will obviously have its eye on the Europa League final, and if it wins that, then that final game at Manchester City becomes meaningless for it, even if there is a chance of dropping out of the top five.
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Bournemouth
Man City (H) - May 19
Nottingham Forest (A) - May 24
Bournemouth is lurking ominously after another win at Fulham on Saturday. It lies four points behind Liverpool, and certainly can't be discounted yet, especially if the Reds drop more points against Villa.
Obviously, City will be as tough as it gets, although Pep Guardiola's side may have a slight hangover from the FA Cup final, and heading to the Vitality Stadium will not be relished. If the Cherries are still in touch come the final day, it'll set up a dramatic ending to the Champions League race.
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Brighton
Leeds (A) - May 17
Manchester United - May 24
Brighton is the only other team that could still catch Liverpool. For that to happen, the Seagulls do need to rely on the Reds losing their last two games, given they can only finish level on 59 points at best.
If that were to happen though, and Brighton wins both of its remaining games, then it would overtake Liverpool, given it is only two behind on goal difference at the moment. Given the two sides' current form, you certainly can't rule that out at this stage.