Liverpool’s Champions League chances now look far stronger after the win over Crystal Palace, with Opta’s latest numbers putting the Reds in a commanding position.
It was not the prettiest route back into control, but at this stage of the season, that does not matter. Liverpool needed three points, and they got them.
Liverpool’s win over Palace was huge because it strengthened their grip on a top-five place and eased some of the pressure that had been building over recent weeks. There is still work to do, but it would take a complete capitulation now to miss out on Champions League football next season.
Will Liverpool overtake United and finish third?
Here's how the table looks after the Reds' 3-1 win over Palace 👇
Florian Wirtz knee slides in celebration after scoring for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Opta’s updated Premier League top five odds for Liverpool
It was looking bleak for Liverpool a few weeks ago, but the Reds have fought back into a respectable place in the table.
They have also been helped by Chelsea’s implosion, which has eased the pressure from behind and made the top-five picture look far more manageable. Arne Slot’s side still had to do their own job, though.
Before the Palace game, Opta had Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top five at just over 90%. That already made the Reds strong favourites to qualify for the Champions League.
Now, after picking up three huge points, that figure has jumped to 96.92%.
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It’s a massive number, especially at this stage of the season. Liverpool aren’t officially there yet, but they are in a position where it would take a major collapse to miss out.
As for where we finish inside the top five, the odds are not as insightful. There is still too much direct disruption to come, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa all set to take points off each other during the final weeks of the Premier League campaign.
That makes the exact finishing order hard to predict, but one thing is clear. Champions League football is now firmly within reach.
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