Liverpool are in a close battle to secure Champions League qualification for next season, but Arne Slot will be somewhat relieved knowing fifth-place will be enough.
The Premier League have officially clinched an extra Champions League place for 2026/27 thanks to the collective performances of English teams in Europe.
The Race for 5th: A quick look
• Extra Spot Confirmed: The Premier League has officially secured a 5th Champions League spot for next season.
• The Target: 67 points is the likely ‘safety mark’ for Liverpool, provided they beat Chelsea at Anfield on May 9.
• Form Spike Needed: To reach safety, the Reds must jump from 1.58 PPG to a title-winning 2.42 PPG over the final seven games.
It means the top five will all qualify for next season’s competition, which is a lifeline Liverpool will likely need if they are still to be dining at the top table of European football.
With seven games remaining in the season, the permutations for what Liverpool need become all the more pertinent as they are five points adrift of fourth and only one point above sixth.
As Liverpool face several teams around them in the table, this is likely what they will need to stave off competition.
How many points Liverpool will need to confirm top 5 place
Pos Team Pld GD Pts
1 Arsenal 31 +48 71
2 Man City 31 +40 70
3 Man United 32 +18 60
4 Aston Villa 32 +15 54
5 LIVERPOOL 31 +12 49
— Extra Champions League Spot Confirmed —
6 Chelsea 31 +8 48
7 Brentford 32 +4 47
8 Everton 31 +2 46
9 Fulham 31 -2 44
10 Tottenham 32 -5 42
*Current standings as of April 10, 2026.
Simply put, fifth spot is Liverpool’s to lose. They can reach a total of 70 points, which would require winning all seven games, but it sets a tally no other team below them could match.
Based on historical averages over the last 10 Premier League seasons, 66-68 points is the projected requirement for a fifth-place finish this season.
Liverpool are currently on 49, meaning they would need at least 17 points in the remaining seven games, which requires an average of 2.42 points per game – title-winning form!
Their current points per game is 1.58, which would see Liverpool finish with 60 points, and the average table position of their remaining opponents is seventh.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea key in top 5 race
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo shoots to score his team's equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool and Chelsea will meet at Anfield on May 9, and the result of the fixture could have a significant say on who finishes in the top five.
Chelsea, currently a point behind in sixth, can reach a maximum of 69 points if they were to win their remaining seven, which includes the trip to Anfield.
If Liverpool win: If the Reds beat Chelsea, the Blues’ ceiling drops to 66. Liverpool would then likely only need six wins (18 points) from their final seven games to finish on 67.
A draw: A draw keeps Chelsea‘s ceiling at 67. This would force Liverpool to find 19 points (six wins and that one draw) to reach 68 and clinch fifth place.
If Liverpool lose: A loss would allow Chelsea to potentially finish on 69 points, while Liverpool’s maximum would be capped at 67. The Reds would then no longer be in control.
Join This Is Anfield Premium
If adverts aren’t your thing, we appreciate you becoming a Premium member
This run would also need to include wins over Everton (8th) and Brentford (7th), who mathematically remain in the picture for Champions League qualification.
Of course, the likelihood of Liverpool and Chelsea being near perfect from now until the end of the season is unlikely, but it shows how tight the race currently is and how any slip-up can invite more teams into the conversation.
Liverpool’s remaining Premier League fixtures
• Fulham (H) – Sat, April 11
• Everton (A) – Sun, April 19
• Crystal Palace (H) – Sat, April 25
• Man United (A) – Sun, May 3
• Chelsea (H) – Sat, May 9
• Aston Villa (A) – Sun, May 17
• Brentford (H) – Sun, May 24