Liverpool faces a nervy final day with Arne Slot still seeking Champions League qualification next season. However the Reds may have received a boost in its European hopes
18:37, 17 May 2026Updated 18:43, 17 May 2026
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts towards Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England
Liverpool has been handed a slight boost in the race for Champions League(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s route to Champions League qualification has eased slightly after as the table continues to shift, leaving Arne Slot’s side with a clear path to European football.
Liverpool’s final-day scenario has a slightly uneasy edge to it, but ultimately remains one they should control, even if recent form has introduced unnecessary doubt Arne Slot’s side have left themselves far too vulnerable after a run of just one point from nine.
Still, with the equation now clearer, the task is straightforward: avoid slipping up against Brentford and end a deeply inconsistent season with at least some stability. For supporters, however, the idea of qualification going down to the final whistle reflects just how quickly standards have dropped in recent weeks. Mohamed Salah insisted he will do "everything he can" to help the Reds secure a Champions League spot.
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Ahead of Sunday's fixtures, the Reds needed a win over Keith Andrews' side to secure a top-five finish with Brighton and Bournemouth the only teams that could catch them.
However, Liverpool has a former enemy to thank in ex- Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in easing its Champion League path. A late goal from Calvert-Lewin secured another home win for Leeds and also put a stop to Brighton's hopes at appearing in Europe's elite competition as Fabian Hurzeler's side is now unable to overtake Liverpool.
Liverpool could qualify for the Champions League without even kicking a ball. Bournemouth faces Manchester City on Tuesday night and Slot will be nervously waiting for the result which could shape his squad plans for the final day of the campaign.
Should Bournemouth defeat Pep Guardiola's side, the race for top-five will go down to the wire. However, if City beats the Cherries, Liverpool will be guaranteed a place in the top five, securing Champions League soccer for the 2026/27 season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United scores his team's first goal while under pressure from Lewis Dunk of Brighton & Hove Albion
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended Brighton's Champions League hopes(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Whether confirmed by a City victory on Tuesday or sealed on the final day, Liverpool is set to qualify with their lowest points total since the 2015/16 season. If Champions League qualification is already secured, Anfield could take on a more subdued, testimonial-like atmosphere for Salah and Andy Robertson, offering a brief respite from a tense, setback-filled campaign that has otherwise been defined by frustration.
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On Friday, Slot admitted that defeat at Aston Villa could be “damaging” to Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes and acknowledged that supporters may now question whether he is capable of restoring the club as genuine title contenders.
“It’s damaging because we needed either a win or maybe, maybe, maybe two draws would have been enough as well,” Slot said. “But now we know one thing for sure – we need a win next week if we have to do it ourselves. The other teams of course need to pick up points as well for us to need a win.
"That’s really damaging that we were not able to get a result, let alone a win here today. There were parts in the game where I felt a result could have gone our way but I think people are mainly focused on the period after the 2-1 where we couldn’t find any momentum any more and we conceded two other goals.”