Worst-case scenario for Manchester United as Liverpool secures a top-four position in the final stretc

Just four points currently separate Man United and Liverpool in the race for a top-four finish, but the Reds have two games to go before Sunday’s game against West Ham.

Manchester United missed their chance to consolidate their grip on a top four finish on Thursday night, losing 1-0 to Brighton in dramatic circumstances at the Amex Stadium.

As a result of that defeat, Liverpool, who are currently fifth and one place behind United in the table, could close the gap to Erik ten Hag’s side to just one point this weekend. They will face Brentford on Saturday night at Anfield in pursuit of a sixth consecutive Premier League win.

If Liverpool win, the table will be jittery for United fans, but the Reds have two games left to face West Ham on Sunday and remain favorites to secure Champions League qualification. However, we considered a possible nightmare scenario, with United losing their top four.

Liverpool vs Brentford – LIVERPOOL WIN

West Ham United vs United – WEST HAM WIN

Victory for Liverpool on Saturday would elevate them to within a point of Ten Hag’s troops, putting United under stern pressure to win at West Ham just over 24 hours later. Should they achieve that, they would reopen a four-point cushion.

However, in the event of a defeat for United, they would remain just a point ahead of Liverpool, but would still have a game in hand.

4th: United – 63pts

Leicester City vs Liverpool – LIVERPOOL WIN

Back on home soil, United will be strong favourites to beat Wolves next Saturday. The Reds have been almost faultless at home this season and have not lost a league match at Old Trafford since the opening day of the season, meaning you would expect them to see off Julen Lopetegui’s side without too much trouble.

That would take United onto 66 points ahead of Liverpool facing Leicester just over 48 hours later. Liverpool will fancy their chances of winning at the King Power Stadium and a win would move them back to within a point of the Red

4th: United – 70pts

5th: Liverpool – 65pts

May 20

Bournemouth vs United – DRAW

Liverpool vs Aston Villa – LIVERPOOL WIN

A rare occasion where both clubs will play at exactly the same time, each kicking-off at 3pm. Both face tricky assignments in their own right, with United up against a much-improved Bournemouth side and Liverpool taking on a Villa team who have been revitalised in recent months under Unai Emery.

United’s fragility away from home could rear its ugly head again on the South Coast, potentially opening up an opportunity for Liverpool to climb above them for the first time, should they defeat Villa at Anfield. It could be a pivotal day.

4th: Liverpool – 68pts

5th: United – 67pts

United’s game in hand on Liverpool comes just three days before the final day of the season, meaning it could prove to be a defining night at Old Trafford. The Reds, such is their impressive home record and Chelsea’s struggles, will be strong favourites to beat Frank Lampard’s side and put them in command of their own destiny ahead of the final day.

4th: United – 70pts

5th: Liverpool – 68pts

May 28

United vs Fulham – DRAW

Southampton vs Liverpool – LIVERPOOL WIN

United have already beaten Fulham twice this season and a final day victory over them at Old Trafford would secure a top four finish, regardless of Liverpool’s result at Southampton. But in the event of United dropping points, a Liverpool win by any margin could seal them fourth.

At the time of writing, Liverpool’s goal difference is currently 15 better off than United’s, meaning it is hard to see Ten Hag’s side swinging that back in their favor.

FINAL STANDINGS

4th: Liverpool – 71pts

5th: United – 71pts

In summary, Liverpool can finish on a maximum of 71 points, provided they win each of their last four games. United, by contrast, only need eight points from a possible 15 to achieve the same feat.

Also.. 

Journalist reveals ‘shocking front-runner’ for Liverpool sporting director post

Liverpool are said to be close to appointing their next sporting director, with former Wolfsburg sporting director Jorg Schmadtke a “shocking favourite”.

The search for a new boss on the transfer front began in November with the resignation of Julian Ward and has seen Liverpool linked with a myriad of names.

Former Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen Tim Steidten was recently said to be in talks about a move to Merseyside, though the claims were quickly dismissed.

It appears Liverpool have eyed the Bundesliga for their next fixture, but the Telegraph reports talks with Schmadtke.

Matt Law and Sam Wallace break the news of talks between Liverpool and the 59-year-old, who is currently unemployed after his spell at Wolfsburg ended in January.

Talks with Schmadtke have “accelerated” in recent days, to the point that the club “seems ready to appoint him” as new sporting director. Liverpool are hoping to secure their next appointment as soon as possible, with plans already underway for the summer transfer window.

Ward is currently still involved in negotiations and the search for his successor, but the current incumbent is expected to leave at the end of the season.

Schmadtke is known for “recruitment that maintains the value of the budgets allocated to him”, but also for a history of friction between him and the managers he has worked with.
However, he is described as an ‘ally of Klopp’, suggesting he could work closely with the Liverpool manager.

Before joining the back office, Schmadtke was a goalkeeper and spent most of his career at Fortuna Düsseldorf and SC Freiburg in his native Germany. He held similar sporting director positions at Alemannia Aachen, Hannover 96 and 1. FC Köln and worked at Wolfsburg for four and a half years.