Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League title this season have been boosted following Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final exit.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, a Lionel Messi brace and wonder-goal from former Reds playmaker Philippe Coutinho saw Barcelona clinch a 4-0 aggregate win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to set up a semi-final clash with either Liverpool or FC Porto.
And while Jurgen Klopp will be wary of facing the Catalans in the Champions League final four, the Spaniards have done the Reds a favour heading into the Premier League title run-in.
Liverpool currently lead the table by two points, having played a game more than reigning champions Manchester City with Pep Guardiola's side's game in hand falling away to Manchester United on Wednesday 24 April.
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With the prospect of qualifying for next season's Champions League as champions extinguished following their exit to Barcelona, United are now only able to book their place in the competition next year by finishing in the Premier League's top four.
Solskjaer's side currently sit sixth in the table on 66 points, two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with both sides having played 33 games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea also sit two points ahead of United in fifth place but have played a game more, while Tottenham Hotspur lie third on 67 points from 33 games.
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With the race for a top four finish tighter than ever, it won't just be local bragging rights up for grabs when Manchester City travel to Old Trafford.
United fans might loathe the thought of Liverpool winning the Premier League, but their side will need to go all out in all of their remaining fixtures if they are to stand any chance of competing in next year's Champions League.
