Can Liverpool afford not making the Premier League top four?

Liverpool are heading into the most crucial stretch of a season in the last three years, as missing out on Champions League qualification for next season could be a hard blow for the reigning Premier League champions.

The Reds currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, four points behind third-placed Leicester City, three points behind fourth-placed West Ham and two behind Chelsea.

In the event they don’t make the top four, Jurgen Klopp’s side will not participate in the major European competition for the first time since 2016/17.

Can Liverpool finish in the top four?

In theory, Liverpool have the best schedule among the contenders for the top four spots, bar Manchester City and Manchester United who are expected to finish top and second top respectively.

Apart from their match at Old Trafford against the Red Devils and a trip to Leeds to face Marcelo Bielsa’s side, the Reds are set to face bottom-half sides Newcastle, Southampton, West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Leicester City have to play both Manchester United and Chelsea on the road, with their last game of the season being at home against Tottenham.

Meanwhile, West Ham were beaten 3-2 by Newcastle on Saturday and have to host both Chelsea and Everton on home soil.

Chelsea, who are also competing in the Champions League and the FA Cup, are set to play West Ham, Manchester City, Leicester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Tottenham also have a considerably favourable schedule ahead, as their toughest games are away at Leeds and Leicester City, while they have to host Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Everton’s target is to make the top four too, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side have tough games ahead against Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City.

So,

What would failure mean for Liverpool?

The Reds will attempt to strengthen their team in the summer transfer market and qualifying to next season’s Champions League group stage would help them lure elite players to Merseyside.

But not making it to next year’s major tournament could be a problem in recruitment, although not in keeping players.

“That is nothing we have to worry about,” Klopp said back in March when asked about potential departures due to lack of Champions League football.

“I know we have loyalty from the players. It is not a situation where a player in the squad says ‘We are not in the Champions League, so I have to leave’. That will not happen.

“I know them well enough to know that. The club is in a different situation and it will not be an issue with new players.”

In an interview for Bild after Liverpool’s victory over Wolves in March, Klopp pointed out the advantages of no midweek European games next season, stressing that his men will have time to rest between games.

“If we don’t play internationally at all, that means more time to relax,” he said.

“That would be bad for all other teams because training is good for us.

“If we had more time, we could take advantage of it. We would try to turn the bad situation into something good.”

This rest could benefit a high-intensity football team such as Liverpool, but both the prestige and financial blow would be hard for the Reds if they don’t make the top four.

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