Why Liverpool’s Premier League finish could be determined by head-to-head if the shocking situation occurs

They may have worked hard for it, but Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday saw them take control of the Europa League qualifying race.

The Reds are currently fifth in the table on 56 points, two points above both Spurs and Aston Villa, who have played one game less. Meanwhile, they have yet to welcome Unai Emery’s Villa side to Anfield on 20 May.

As a result, Jürgen Klopp’s men are in a good position to qualify for next season’s Europa League, while also poised to capitalize on any slippage from Manchester United or Newcastle United in the title race. Seven points behind the fourth-placed Red Devils (63 points), having played one more game, and nine points behind the third-place Magpies (65 points), such a prospect seems highly unlikely. With Manchester City facing Manchester United in the FA Cup Final, the fifth and sixth placed Premier League players look to have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League group stage. Meanwhile, a seventh place seems to be worth qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

With a significantly better goal difference than Tottenham (+6) and Villa (+4), even if Liverpool (+23) slip in the coming weeks to finish level with both sides in the table, they would finish higher as a result 

Meanwhile, in the unlikely event that Manchester United drop enough points to draw with the Reds, their inferior goal difference of +10 would also be enough for Liverpool to finish higher than them in the Premier League and possibly the top four to sneak in.

Meanwhile, in the unlikely event that Manchester United drop enough points to draw with the Reds, their inferior goal difference of +10 would also be enough for Liverpool to finish higher than them in the Premier League and possibly the top four to sneak in.

Conversely, Newcastle’s +34 goal difference gives them the lead over Liverpool, even without a nine-point lead at the moment. However, the Reds scored more goals (65 – 61) which is the next decider to determine league position if the two teams cannot be separated on points and goal difference.

Also, each other’s points are taken into account. Once again, Klopp’s men are ahead of all four of the aforementioned teams. They completed a league double against Newcastle and Tottenham, as their 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Anfield topped a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, they won 3-1 at Aston Villa on Boxing Day. With the more goals scored while the away team determines who finishes higher, Emery’s side would need to win 3-0 or by two goals if they scored four or more to finish above Liverpool in the unlikely event that draws on points, goal difference and overall goals.

If you win 3-1 we could be looking at a Premier League play-off match to decide European qualification, although that is highly unlikely at this stage.

But while the Reds have the edge over any of the aforementioned teams under such circumstances, it’s a different story when it comes to Brighton & Hove Albion. In reality it doesn’t take a series of far-fetched results for the two teams to reach the level of the season.

The Seagulls are currently eighth in the table, outside the European places, on 52 points. However, they still have three games in hand against Tottenham and Aston Villa, two games in hand against Liverpool and Newcastle and one game in hand against Manchester United. Winning their two games in hand over the Reds will see them jump to fifth place by 58 points. But if you win one and tie the other, both sides are tied at 56 points

After beating Wolves 6-0 on Saturday, Brighton’s goal difference has received a major boost, making it plausible that they will end up level with Liverpool as a result. Their GD currently stands at +21, four goals behind the Reds but have also conceded two fewer.
So what if the Seagulls really end up level on points, goal difference and goals scored with Liverpool? Alas, no Premier League play-off here.

Brighton’s 3-3 draw at Anfield and a 3-1 win over the Reds at the AMEX Stadium give them the edge. If you level Klopp’s men on points, goal difference and goals scored, they will take a higher place in the Premier League final table.

If Brighton win games hands down, they will be well placed to qualify for next season’s Europa League alongside Liverpool. But if the two sides draw and it’s the difference between the Europa League and the Europa Conference League, or the Conference League and no Europe, then it’s the Reds who lose.

Therefore, with five games left in their season, Liverpool need to maintain their run of four consecutive and six game unbeaten matches to give themselves the best possible chance of finishing above Brighton once the season draws to a close.

Also.. 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tells Liverpool fans: ‘Stop singing my song!’

Jurgen Klopp has sent a message to Liverpool fans after hearing his name being chanted at Anfield as his side went 3-0 up at Tottenham Hotspur.

Anfield is known for its atmosphere and Liverpool fans have long shown their love for the club by singing about their players and managers.

One chant that gained traction last season was to the tune of The Beatles’ ‘I Feel Fine’, with lyrics adapted to honor the Liverpool boss.

After the Reds’ 4-3 win against Tottenham, Klopp asked fans not to chant his name during the game.

The coach explained: “At 3-0 it wasn’t the result due to a sensational climate. “Practically everyone got it wrong, everyone.”

Klopp complimented the fans’ songs, saying he likes “all of them”, but he added: “My song, don’t sing it.

“If you want to sing it, sing it after the game at the bar, anywhere.

“Because it’s almost like closing the game, we’re 3-0 up [after 15 minutes] and they start with ‘I’m so glad Jurgen is red’ and I was like ‘It’s not over yet’.

“So it would be really cool if you could save that for later.”

It’s not a new message from Klopp.

Even at the start of his tenure, when Liverpool fans chanted the German’s name to Opus’ ‘Live is Life’, the manager asked fans to stop chanting his name during matches. After a win over Leicester in 2016, Klopp told fans: “Please don’t chant my name until the game is decided.”

“That’s good, but it’s not necessary,” he added. “It would be really nice if you could stop, please!”

After Sunday’s win, Klopp went to the Kop and showed the crowd his signature fist pumps – something we haven’t seen much of this season.

We’re not sure the fans will fully comply with Klopp’s request, but the next time Liverpool take the lead there may be less party atmosphere at Anfield.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tells Liverpool fans: ‘Stop singing my song!’

Jurgen Klopp has sent a message to Liverpool fans after hearing his name being chanted at Anfield as his side went 3-0 up at Tottenham Hotspur.

Anfield is known for its atmosphere and Liverpool fans have long shown their love for the club by singing about their players and managers.

One chant that gained traction last season was to the tune of The Beatles’ ‘I Feel Fine’, with lyrics adapted to honor the Liverpool boss.

After the Reds’ 4-3 win against Tottenham, Klopp asked fans not to chant his name during the game.

The coach explained: “At 3-0 it wasn’t the result due to a sensational climate. “Practically everyone got it wrong, everyone.”

Klopp complimented the fans’ songs, saying he likes “all of them”, but he added: “My song, don’t sing it.

“If you want to sing it, sing it after the game at the bar, anywhere.

“Because it’s almost like closing the game, we’re 3-0 up [after 15 minutes] and they start with ‘I’m so glad Jurgen is red’ and I was like ‘It’s not over yet’.

“So it would be really cool if you could save that for later.”

It’s not a new message from Klopp.

Even at the start of his tenure, when Liverpool fans chanted the German’s name to Opus’ ‘Live is Life’, the manager asked fans to stop chanting his name during matches. After a win over Leicester in 2016, Klopp told fans: “Please don’t chant my name until the game is decided.”

“That’s good, but it’s not necessary,” he added. “It would be really nice if you could stop, please!”

After Sunday’s win, Klopp went to the Kop and showed the crowd his signature fist pumps – something we haven’t seen much of this season.

We’re not sure the fans will fully comply with Klopp’s request, but the next time Liverpool take the lead there may be less party atmosphere at Anfield.