Although this will not have softened the blow to Liverpool fans wishing to send Jürgen Klopp rides off into the sunset with a Europa League triumph to savor, it will not have gone unnoticed that the Reds were not the only English team to collapse outside Europe this week.
Manchester City lost to Real Madrid on penalties and Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich. Manchester United and Newcastle both exited the Champions League at the group stage and Bayer Leverkusen beat West Ham United. In fact, only Aston Villa progressed as Unai Emery’s side edged out Ligue 1 side Lille.
Why is this important for Liverpool? Well, it’s very simple. Part of the frustration for Klopp’s men missing out on the Champions League by finishing fifth last year was that a year later it might have been enough to advance to UEFA’s biggest competition due to the format expanded.
LEARN MORE: Liverpool ‘talked about surprise new manager option’ as three stars reportedly follow Jurgen Klopp
LEARN MORE: Liverpool ‘holding transfer talks’ over $64m signing, could release Alexis Mac Allister
However, this has since changed. Atalanta’s victory over Liverpool helped seal an additional Champions League place for next season’s Serie A and it is now up to England or Germany to fight for the other. Right now, it looks like the Bundesliga is going to win.
If Aston Villa were to win the Conference League and all three German teams — With Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen expected to be eliminated in their semi-finals, fifth place would go to the Premier League. In any other scenario, however, it appears that the English team’s poor performances in Europe this season will prove costly.
Clearly, Liverpool should be able to make the top three this season, at the very least. Heading into the weekend of action, the Reds were eight points clear of Aston Villa having played a game less. Spurs are 11 points behind having also played 32 times.
But the three teams seeking the Premier League title still have to face Tottenham. Liverpool are also due to travel to Villa Park in the penultimate game of the season, although it will be after a European two-legged tie which could have taken a lot of weight off Aston Villa’s legs.
In the games against Spurs, at least, Ange Postecoglou’s side will need to win, realistically, to get into the top four, unless Aston Villa suddenly stumble. If they are to climb above the Midlands side and into Europe’s premier competition, Tottenham will need to claim a big scalp. And that could play into Liverpool’s hands.
Liverpool face Tottenham at Anfield, while Arsenal and Manchester City are scheduled to travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With Champions League football on the line and the potential need to win at least one of these matches, this could add an extra element to the final race. As always, the order of meetings always proves vital.
Liverpool.com says: This could certainly work in Liverpool’s favor though Spurs are likely to need something against Arsenal and Manchester City. The same can of course be said against the Reds, but Tottenham are more likely to win when playing at home. Postecoglou’s men could have a real say in the title race and Klopp’s hopes could well rest with them.