Liverpool’s season has reached a point where even games against relegation teams feel like high-stakes moments. It’s a strange position for a club that’s neither in the title race nor bottom of the table. While a top-four finish is certainly a battle, including in the FA Cup and Champions League, every game feels important when it comes to the Reds’ hopes of a positive result this season. As they say, the margins in elite football are razor thin.
Liverpool suffered a major setback in terms of remaining goals in both the Champions League and Premier League. Most recently, Liverpool were held to a draw by Gatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League match on Tuesday. The week before, Wolves, who were likely to be relegated, also suffered a defeat against the Red Army in the Premier League. There were two games where the club was denied victory in games they clearly expected to win, but ultimately failed to do so.
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Liverpool have generally been bailed out throughout the year, though, and given the Reds kick off on Sunday, they have a chance to remain in control of their destiny in the race for a top-four finish. Liverpool are competing with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester United for these spots and the lads only need to beat two of them to achieve their target. Fortunately, the current form of Villa and Chelsea provides cover for the Reds’ inconsistent form. Indeed, for all of Liverpool’s own problems, Chelsea and Villa provide the best examples of how bad things can get for clubs with the ambition and talent to potentially make them a reality.
Chelsea were held to a draw by ninth-placed Newcastle on Saturday – who are enduring a disappointing year – and now Liverpool could jump from sixth to fourth if the result against Aston Villa against Manchester United goes in the Reds’ favour. At least the simplest outcome of a win and a draw for the Reds in another game would be for the Reds to occupy fifth place, a point behind Villa and Manchester United. However, if Manchester United lose and Liverpool can lead Tottenham by at least 2 goals, they will be level with Manchester United on points, but slip to fourth place due to goal difference. If Villa lose and Liverpool win, they will finish fourth on goal difference.
It must be noted that the only common thread here is that Liverpool won. So even with all the friendly results it still comes down to the club’s form which, while improving, is nowhere near where we can expect a win even if it makes them favourites. Liverpool don’t look invincible, at this time of year when all games matter, it’s often the temporarily invincible teams that manage to push themselves forward.
I’m willing to accept that – a six-week burst of form that helps us think about the commitment and quality of the squad and what it means next year with people healthy and reinforcements arriving. Hopefully that burst will begin tomorrow when the Reds take on Tottenham at Anfield.
