Liverpool Champions League chance is growing amid Callum Wilson admission and Man Utd fixtures

Liverpool should look more to Manchester United in their Champions League run than Newcastle, but the north-east side has provided some encouragement.

Liverpool have won six games and with just three games remaining this season there is still a chance of securing a top four finish.

Qualification for the Champions League seemed impossible not too long ago after a string of poor results, particularly away from home, but Liverpool are all but back in the fray.

With Leicester City (A), Aston Villa (H) and Southampton (A) left to play, there is hope that three more wins – taking the streak to nine – may be enough.

But that would mean that Manchester United have dropped points in at least two games, or Newcastle United have lost twice, with both teams crossing the finish line with the games remaining. Manchester United – who have Wolves, Chelsea and Fulham away and Bournemouth at home – have the toughest run-in, with Newcastle facing Leeds United and Chelsea away and Leicester and Brighton at home.

But the Newcastle squad have little to no experience of such a situation and comments from one of their star players this week could give some insight into the team’s state of mind.

Wherever you are in the world – in the US, UK or elsewhere – you don’t want to miss a thing.

“Liverpool need to relax!” Newcastle striker Callum Wilson said on Football’s latest football podcast. “I said a few weeks ago that I could smell [the Champions League], now that smell is gone. I don’t know where he went. [Sniffles…] I can’t find it

“This game [Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal] shows once again that we still have a long way to go. We have Leeds and Leicester to play and both are in a relegation battle. We need three out of four wins.”

Liverpool.com says: “Newcastle probably only need two out of four wins to get into the Champions League on goal difference to the Reds and they should be able to do that.” But if Wilson – and likely others on the team – are looking over their shoulder, anything can happen under pressure. Liverpool didn’t need any extra encouragement to keep winning and see what happens, but this admission from the Newcastle side should only reinforce the feeling that three more wins might be enough. Just a few weeks ago prediction site 538 put Liverpool’s odds at just 9%, now they are at 29%. Another weekend of good results and the number of Reds will only grow.

Also.. 

After Jude Bellingham comparing Steve Gerard talk up Liverpool Nicolo Barella transfer move

Nicolo Barella was the engine behind Inter’s rampant 2-0 victory over rivals AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final first leg, while Liverpool’s transfer goal came in handy after Steven Gerrard praised

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Steven Gerrard has lent his support to Liverpool in their hunt for Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella by praising his performance against Jude Bellingham.

Barella, 26, returned to action on Wednesday as he helped Inter dominate arch-rivals AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final, his side winning the one-way first leg 2-0. Former Premier League stars Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan each scored in the first 11 minutes for Inter to give Simone Inzaghi’s men a decisive lead in the second leg.

In midfield, Barella was the engine and he produced another impressive performance worthy of his reported price tag of €70m (£62m). Liverpool have long been linked with the Italy international and since the Reds dropped their pursuit of Bellingham, the focus has been on finding an alternative midfielder to kick off Jurgen Klopp’s rebuild.

Before the match, Liverpool legend Gerrard praised Barella for pouring praise towards him, referring to a clash between the 26-year-old Dynamo and Bellingham during Euro 2024 qualifying in March. “He’s creative, he can score important goals,” the former Reds captain told BT Sport.

“I saw him against England in Naples and he was involved in all parts of the game. He did really well against England midfield – Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. He’s also of a good age and is entering his prime. years”.

Bellingham’s England had the upper hand that night, winning 2-1 away from home, with Barella making way just after the hour mark. Gerrard wasn’t the only pundit to praise the Italian midfielder, as his former team-mate Peter Crouch endorsed wholeheartedly after seeing Barella score in every game of Inter’s quarter-final victory against Portuguese giants Benfica, who enjoyed a delightful clash with Cross-City. opponents Milan scored it in the semi-finals.

“He was crucial in the Benfica games,” the former Liverpool striker affirmed. “He’s got great feet, tenacious as well and decent in the tackle. The first game he was the difference. There’s many, many admirers, Liverpool being one at the moment.”

If reports are to be believed, Crouch is correct. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter might be forced to sell Barella in the summer transfer window if they fail to finish in the top four of Serie A or win the Champions League, either of which would secure them qualification to Europe’s premier competition next season.

They add that the Reds’ interest in the Inter linchpin has grown since Klopp and co admitted defeat on Bellingham, but Paris Saint-Germain are also interested. Marco Verratti, Barella’s team-mate at international level, is considering his future with the French giants which could open up a midfield vacancy.