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Chelsea lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the battle for a Premier League top-five finish.
Arne Slot’s main focus would have been on plotting Liverpool’s bid to pull off their latest European miracle.
But as the Reds head coach was mapping out his game plan for Paris Saint-Germain, who hold a 2-0 aggregate lead ahead of the second leg at Anfield, he likely would have been attentive to results in the Premier League.
Slot might have cast a smile seeing Aston Villa held to a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. There may well have been a beam on his face given that Chelsea suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.
After Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Fulham - easing some of the pressure that Slot finds himself under - they went four points clear of Chelsea. In the race for Champions League qualification, that is crucial.
Booking a spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season is imperative for the Reds. Slot has already admitted it would be an unacceptable season if Liverpool fail to do so. Granted, another Premier League title assault was expected given how easily Liverpool claimed the silverware in Slot’s maiden year. But being in the Champions League for 2026-26 is paramount in terms of the financial benefits and attracting players in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool have just six games remaining in the Premier League. To finish in the top five, the Reds - currently on 52 points need a total of 13 points to secure Champions League qualification. Sixth-placed Chelsea sit on 48 points, so they can amass a total of 64 points in their remaining six fixtures.
The Stamford Bridge side travel to Anfield on Saturday 9 May. If both clubs won their subsequent three games but Liverpool came out on top of the meeting against Chelsea, that would ensure the Reds’ place at Europe’s top table next term.
Liverpool may also be hoping to catch fourth-placed Aston Villa, who are three points ahead. The Reds travel to Villa Park on the penultimate day of the season. Liverpool’s goal difference is currently five better than Villa so it could be an opportunity to leapfrog.
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures
Everton (A), Sunday 19 April
Crystal Palace (H), Saturday 25 April
Man United (A), Saturday 2 May
Chelsea (H), Saturday 9 May
Aston Villa (A), Sunday 17 May
Brentford (H), Sunday 24 May
Chelsea
Man United (H), Saturday 18 April
Brighton (A), Sunday 26 April
Nottingham Forest (H), Sunday 2 May
Liverpool (A), Saturday 9 May
Tottenham (H), Sunday 17 May
Sunderland (A), Sunday 24 May.
Sunderland (H), Sunday 19 April
Fulham (A), Saturday 25 April
Tottenham (H), Saturday 2 May
Burnley (A), Saturday 2 May
Liverpool (H), Sunday 17 May
Man City (A), Sunday 24 May
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