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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool given Champions League qualification hope as European route opens up

So, you're saying there's a chance?

The rampant display at Leeds United may have been a first win in six in all competitions for Liverpool and only a fourth victory on the road in the Premier League this season.

But that hasn't stopped some supporters clinging on to the faint hope Champions League qualification could still be assured despite such an underwhelming campaign to date.

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It would, of course, be a big ask. The Reds stand nine points adrift of the top four with eight games to play and, perhaps just as importantly, are currently down in eighth place and would have to overcome four clubs to sneak into fourth.

In that respect, it's not too dissimilar to the last time Liverpool were struggling to secure their Champions League place two years ago when, at this stage of the season, they stood seventh. However, the gap to the top four was only three points with third spot - in which the Reds eventually finished - a further four away.

Liverpool ended that season with six wins and two draws, a tally of 20 from a possible 24 points that saw them ultimately finish only five points behind second-placed Manchester United as their nearest rivals all fell away.

This season, though, the task appears markedly more difficult, not least with the Reds having two points fewer at this stage than two years ago. Brighton and Aston Villa are in form while Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have points in the bag. Even Europa League qualification is very much in the balance.

Liverpool can at least control some of what their rivals do given they have home games against Tottenham and Aston Villa. But of equal benefit is that so many of the teams above them still have to play each other.

As well as visiting Anfield, Tottenham have to go to Newcastle and Aston Villa in between entertaining Manchester United. Newcastle also host both Brighton and Arsenal, Brighton have still to take on Manchester City and United at home and travel to Arsenal and Aston Villa, the latter of whom also have to play at United. They can't all win.

All of that, though, will be irrelevant if Liverpool don't do their own job. The highest points tally they can achieve is 71, which would have been sufficient for top four in all bar one of the seven previous seasons in which Jurgen Klopp has been in charge at Anfield.

That would require the Reds winning all eight of their remaining league games. And the size of that achievement is underlined by the fact Liverpool have only twice before in their entire history managed such a feat.

Both came during the Premier League era. And, most encouragingly, one came under Klopp in the battle with Manchester City for the title in 2018/19, with the other in 2005/06 when Rafael Benitez's side ended the campaign strongly before winning the FA Cup.

Of course, during the glory years in the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool often didn't need such lengthy sprints to the line, such was their overall dominance. Indeed, in 1982/83, they were so far ahead in the table they could afford to win just one of their final eight games - losing five - and still finish 11 points clear.

Under Klopp, however, the Reds have gained a reputation for finishing in winning form, taking at least 20 points from the final 24 available in three of the last four seasons. The one in which they didn't had seen them seal the title with seven games remaining in 2019/20.

With five of this season's last eight games at home - starting with Nottingham Forest on Saturday - and two of the remaining three away games against teams currently in the bottom three, Liverpool at least have a schedule that offers opportunities for attainable victories.

So, there is a chance, if only slight. And Klopp will surely be urging his players to keep fighting until there isn't. The kings of the unlikely comeback need to regain their throne.

Remaining fixtures in race for top four

Manchester United (3rd, P30 Pts 59 GD+9): Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), West Ham (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H). TBA: Brighton (A), Chelsea (H)

Newcastle United (4th, P30 Pts 56 GD+24): Tottenham (H), Everton (A), Southampton (H), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A). TBA: Brighton (H)

Tottenham Hotspur (5th, P31 Pts 53 GD+12): Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H), Liverpool (A), C Palace (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A)

Aston Villa (6th, P31 Pts 50 GD+4): Brentford (A), Fulham (H), Man Utd (A), Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Liverpool (A), Brighton (H)

Brighton (7th, P29 Pts 49 GD+17): N Forest (A), Wolves (H), Everton (H), Arsenal (A), Southampton (H), Aston Villa (A). TBA: Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H), Man City (H)

Liverpool (8th, P30 Pts 47 GD+20): N Forest (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Fulham (H), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), Aston Villa (H), Southampton (A)

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