With Liverpool failing to wrap up Champions League qualification against Aston Villa, the race to finish in the top five could be finished before the final day.
Thanks to English clubs’ relative success in Europe, the top five qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool could have secured Champions League qualification already, but two defeats and a draw in their last three has taken it to the final week of the campaign.
With only Brentford left to play, Arne Slot‘s side will be left to either support Man City on Tuesday night or decide their own fate on Sunday, with only one team now capable of leapfrogging Liverpool.
How Liverpool could qualify for Champions League without playing again
Bournemouth vs. Man City Permutations
•If Man City WIN:
Liverpool officially qualify for the Champions League. Bournemouth‘s maximum points total would drop to 58 (one fewer than Liverpool’s 59).
•If the match is a DRAW:
Liverpool essentially qualify. Bournemouth would need a massive goal difference swing (+6) and a Liverpool loss to Brentford to steal 5th.
•If Bournemouth WIN:
The race goes to the final day. Liverpool would need at least a point against Brentford to guarantee qualification without relying on other results.
Bournemouth are now the only side that could overtake Liverpool after Brighton‘s loss, and they currently have a game in hand, which they will play against Man City on Tuesday evening.
Andoni Iraola’s men can currently achieve a maximum points haul of 61, but that would require a victory against Man City and at Nottingham Forest on the final day.
Therefore, if they lose against City, they can only achieve a maximum of 58 points, one fewer than Liverpool’s current total, which would confirm a top five place for the Reds.
If the match were to end in a draw, Liverpool would still be in a strong position due to their goal difference, even if the worst was to happen against Brentford and the Cherries won their final match.
A win for Bournemouth, meanwhile, would not only end Man City‘s title hopes but also put pressure on the Reds getting a result themselves.
What Liverpool need vs. Brentford to finish in top 5
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 24, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai is challenged by Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard during the FA Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at the Brentford Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If it does go to the final day and Liverpool win at Anfield, Bournemouth‘s results are redundant as they cannot reach 62 points in the games they have left.
As it stands, the maximum points the Cherries can bank is 61 points.
Brentford will not simply be amenable on the last day for Liverpool either, as they are in a battle for European football with several clubs.
A draw could suffice, but that would depend on results elsewhere.
Whether it’s confirmed by a Man City victory on Tuesday or a final-day win, Liverpool would have qualified with their lowest points haul since 2015/16.