As footballing weekend’s go, the last one was pretty spectacular for fans of Liverpool. In fact, it was one that saw the Reds take a giant stride towards a Champions League return, with qualification now in their own hands with just three games left.
Incredibly, both Manchester clubs dropped four points in a matter of four days, firstly against each other in a local derby and then in respective matches against Swansea and Middlesbrough. With Arsenal also having fallen nine points behind the Reds following their 2-0 loss at Spurs, Liverpool managed to complete a superb few days with a hard-earned, 1-0 victory at Watford on Monday night.
This moved the Reds four points clear of United in fifth, while Liverpool’s run-in is favourable. As a result, Klopp is well-placed to lead Liverpool back to the UCL after missing out narrowly last term.
Who Can Still Challenge the Reds?
Before Reds’ fans can begin to celebrate, however, there is still some work to be done to secure a top four finish. City and United both have games in hand on Liverpool, for example, while Arsenal have two that cut see them cut the gap between the clubs to just three points.
In fact, if each of these three clubs were to win their games in hand, the theoretical gap between third and sixth would be reduced to just three points with nine points to play for.
Liverpool have the advantage of points on the board, and the win at Watford may well prove to be seminal one the season has finished. Not only this, but they also have a noticeably more favourable run-in than their rivals, with United and Arsenal yet to meet at the Emirates and Jose Mourinho’s men also faced with a tough trip to White Hart Lane.
So even though the Reds have struggled against teams in the middle and bottom half of the table (where future opponents Southampton, West Ham and Middlesbrough all sit), they undoubtedly have an outstanding opportunity to return to Europe’s top table.
What are the Bookies Offering?
A glance over at BetHut’s bookmaker reviews suggests that most are looking to push their free and real-time offers in the month’s leading up to the end of the season. While nothing can be assured in the topsy-turvy world of Premier League football, these at least offer an opportunity for those fans looking to cash-in on the Reds’ Champions League chances
With Liverpool’s Fate in Their Own Hands, Fans Have Every Right to be Excited
The prospect of Champions League football next season will mark an important watershed in Liverpool’s development under manager Jurgen Klopp, who has an excellent pedigree in the Champions League having led Borussia Dortmund to the final back in 2013.
Not only this, but qualifying for the UCL will also enable Klopp to target several world class players and invest heavily in the summer, with a new goalkeeper, an experienced centre-back and a holding midfielder likely to be on the German’s shopping list.
With Daniel Sturridge also poised for a summer departure from Anfield after a slew of injuries and inconsistent performances, Klopp may also take the opportunity to bring in a world class strike with a proven goalscoring record.
