Liverpool still have a chance to finish in the top four and book a place in the Champions League. Goal difference can still hamper Manchester United or Newcastle.

There are no two ways left. Liverpool are still banking on favorites to enter the Champions League, with Newcastle United and Manchester United still top despite having played one game fewer than Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The frustration for Klopp is that if Liverpool had started their revival even a game earlier, the picture would be very different. Even three more wins to finish the season with nine would put his side just below the Premier League average for a top four finish.

That said, a total of 71 has been enough to qualify for the Champions League in each of the last five seasons. And it’s not just middle school that gives Liverpool hope. With Newcastle and Manchester United both losing this weekend, the picture looks considerably brighter.

There was already some excitement at the thought that the 7-0 defeat of Manchester United could be decisive in stealing a place in the top four. As things stand, two draws would leave Erik Ten Hag’s side vulnerable – even without losing a game by the end of the season, that would be enough to reduce the maximum tally to 71. Currently, Liverpool are superior of 17 on goal difference, meaning he would claim the place with three more wins.

However, what has been less discussed is the potential to usurp Newcastle on goal difference as well. With the remaining fixtures tougher compared to Manchester United, this has to be seen as a legitimate possibility. It would take two defeats instead of two draws, but it would give the same scenario: 71 max. The prospect of a few defeats is certainly realistic when it comes to battling Brighton and Chelsea and Leicester and Leeds against relegation. And that might be enough for Liverpool.

Currently, Newcastle have a seven-goal advantage. But clearly, if it lost twice, that would mean two reductions of at least one goal. Given that Liverpool would also need to win, that’s already a minimum swing of four goals, closing the gap to just three.
Factor in the fact that Newcastle have often won narrowly this season while Liverpool have suffered a few mishaps and the potential for Klopp’s side to develop the necessary momentum is clear. The final game against a most likely already relegated Southampton could prove crucial. Of course, the hard lesson of 2013/14 will not have been forgotten by any Liverpool supporter. Klopp will be well aware that he cannot start thinking about the difference in door, with attention simply on continuing to accumulate victories. But nickling through this method seems to be an increasingly plausible result, both vulnerable with the Newcastle that Manchester United.

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Manchester United and Ten Hag can’t ignore ‘terrible’ David De Gea truth that Alisson can help Liverpool exploit

Although Alisson Becker and David De Gea are vying for the Premier League Golden Glove, the circumstances facing the goalkeepers for Manchester United and Liverpool are very dissimilar.

If Liverpool, against all odds, finish in the top four this season, they could be indebted to Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

The Spaniard was to blame for Said Benrahma’s winner at West Ham on Sunday, he was able to put the Algerian’s tame try from range but was unable to parry it as he squirmed out of its grip and in the bottom corner.

Falling to a 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium, the Red Devils still occupy fourth but sit just a point above Liverpool, albeit having played one game less. Meanwhile, De Gea’s latest error has cast doubt on his future at Old Trafford with his current contract set to expire this summer, though United do possess a one-year option.

Erik ten Hag has said he would like to retain the 32-year-old, yet the shot-stopper would need to accept a big reduction on his current £375k-a-week contract if he wishes to extend his 12-year stay at United. Meanwhile, scrutiny continues to hang over his head following his latest costly error, with some questioning the wisdom of the Red Devils if they did keep the goalkeeper.

Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has slammed his former team-mate as he pundits for BT Sport during the game against West Ham.

“It’s a big mistake. He will take full responsibility for it,” he said. “His left foot slips a bit but that’s no excuse, he’s in full contact with the ball. It’s not like he stretches and puts his fingertips on it.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas would describe De Gea’s latest costly mistake as ‘terrible’ and ‘beyond shocking’.

“If he’s negotiating a contract, mistakes like that will never help,” Crouch said. “He’s been a quality goalkeeper over the years, but right now he feels like he’s making big, big mistakes in big, big games. David de Gea had a shock, we can’t not dress it up. You can’t justify it anyway, it’s a terrible mistake.”

Jenas added: “It’s more than shocking. His team is totally in control of this game and letting you in like that. He’ll know for himself.

Also at fault for United’s Europa League exit at the hands of Sevilla last month, De Gea has made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League player, along with Hugo Lloris.

Yet he still leads the way for the Golden Glove, having kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Winner of the award in 2017/18, the 32-year-old is two clean sheets clear of his nearest rivals with United having four games left to play. While it is in his hands as a result, most would find such a fact hard to believe considering his struggles.

Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is one of the shot-stoppers who could snatch the prize out of De Gea’s grasp, having kept clean sheets in the Reds’ 1-0 victories over Fulham and Brentford in the past week. With three games left to play, he is level with Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale on 13 clean sheets in second place.

The Brazilian hasn’t been immune from errors himself though this season, having gifted goals to the likes of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Wolves’ Goncalo Guedes. Yet Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are well-aware how much worse their disappointing season could have been without their number one.

“Alisson was really moved by the fact that we kept a clean sheet tonight, it had been so long since he kept a clean sheet for us,” said the German after the Reds’ victory over Fulham. “Especially in that situation.

“He is definitely the most consistent player we have this season. That’s good news. If we’re not in shape and the goalkeeper’s level goes down, then we were completely lost.”

Meanwhile, he joked that the Brazilian has made “100 life-saving saves” this season after Alisson kept his 100th clean sheet for the club in the win against Brentford. “I gave him a shirt, we had prepared a shirt for him,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “I said this is actually for ‘100 life-saving saves this season. Ali said: “He Could have been more”. Maybe he’s right!

“His performances speak for themselves. If you know him he’s a better person than a goalkeeper and that’s already difficult. Ali can be very proud of that. I can’t wait to see the next 100.”

Two-time Golden Glove winner Alisson, who lifted the trophy for the first time after his debut season in England in 2018/19, is the current holder of the award, having shared it with compatriot Ederson last season.

Even with the occasional blunder, Liverpool’s faith in Alisson is unwavering. They know very well how lucky they are to have the best goalkeeper in the world, at least in their eyes.

The confident Brazilian, who has now kept two consecutive clean sheets, will be desperate to maintain such a run as the Reds look to at least keep their dim hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League at bay for as long as possible.