Liverpool’s Impact on Premier League’s 5th Champions League Spot
Liverpool Football Club, with its current trajectory, may not need to rely on the possibility of an extra Champions League spot. However, they could play a significant role in securing it for the Premier League. The Champions League is expanding from the 2024/25 season onwards to accommodate 36 teams, which means there are additional spots to be awarded across European leagues.
In terms of the Premier League potentially having five teams qualify for the Champions League, it will be based on this season’s European competition results. Currently, Italian and German clubs have more coefficient points than English clubs. Therefore, it places an emphasis on Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton, and Aston Villa progressing in their respective knockout matches.
Securing the fifth spot for the Premier League does not have a definitive formula. However, Liverpool could prove instrumental if they go all the way in the Europa League. Jurgen Klopp’s side has already qualified for the last 16 and, as a seeded team, will have home advantage for the second leg as they aim to move one step closer to the final.
Liverpool’s success in the Europa League could benefit any one of Tottenham, Aston Villa, Manchester United, or Newcastle should they finish the season in fifth place. Depending on how one views that fifth spot, there may be an extra desire to see other teams fall where the Reds do not in Europe for the remainder of the season. Currently, Liverpool are the bookies’ favorites to lift the Europa League trophy ahead of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, while Manchester City are favorites to defend their Champions League title.
The new Champions League format will require clubs to play eight matches in the initial ‘league’ stage, with half at home and half away. The teams will be drawn from four different seeding pots. There will be four groups of nine, and the top eight teams from all the ‘leagues’ will automatically qualify for the last 16. Teams that finish in ninth to 24th place will enter a play-off round. Essentially, there will be a lot more games for the players to play.
Liverpool’s journey in the Europa League and their potential success could have far-reaching implications not just for their own club, but for the Premier League as a whole. Their performance could be crucial in securing the fifth Champions League spot for English clubs, especially considering the competition from Italian and German teams. As fans and observers, we should keep a close eye on Liverpool’s progress and hope for their continued success in Europe.