With Liverpool’s top four hopes still hanging in the balance, former Premier League striker Ian Wright says the prospect of Jurgen Klopp’s men missing out on Champions League qualification would “be very harsh on them.”
Following Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, Liverpool know that if they beat both Burnley and Crystal Palace, Brendan Rodgers’ side can no longer accumulate more points than the Reds.
Although if the Foxes defeat Tottenham Hotspur on the last day then Champions League qualification could come down to goal difference (both of them could make it in such circumstances if Chelsea fail to win at Aston Villa).
Despite Klopp’s in-form side still being in control of their own destiny, the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer has still tipped them to miss out on a top four place.
But his fellow former England frontman Wright doesn’t think that would be a fair reward for their efforts during a campaign that has seen several players sidelined for prolonged periods, including centre-back trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
HITC quote Wright as telling Premier League Productions: “I feel sorry for Liverpool with everything that has happened.
“With the injuries and everything that has happened to them.
“With the way they blasted the league last year after missing out by a point the year before. Then they get to a situation where they are decimated with injuries. Their front three stop firing.
“Then they find it at the end to get something.
"For them to have a demise, not even get into Champions League for everything they have done the last couple of years then I think it will be very harsh on them.”
