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Liverpool can secure a Champions League spot on Saturday even if they lose to Chelsea. This is due to recent results from Nottingham Forest and Everton that have eliminated the chances of those teams overtaking Liverpool in the standings.
Explained: How Liverpool can clinch Champions League place on Saturday, even without winning
Despite their 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford last weekend, Liverpool could still be assured of Champions League qualification on Saturday, even if they fail to beat Chelsea.
The Bluesâ sixth straight Premier League reverse at home to Nottingham Forest on Monday, coupled with Evertonâs 3-3 draw against Manchester City, ended any faint hopes either of those teams had of catching the Reds in fourth place.
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Opta calculations now rank LFCâs probability of Champions League qualification at 98.35%, implying that our place in Europeâs main club competition for 2026/27 is effectively secured without yet being mathematically guaranteed.
Going into the weekendâs fixtures, there are only three teams outside the top five who could still finish ahead of Liverpool â Bournemouth, and .
Liverpool can qualify for the Champions League by relying on the results of other teams, specifically Nottingham Forest and Everton, which have ended their chances of surpassing Liverpool.
Nottingham Forest's sixth consecutive home loss to Chelsea and Everton's draw with Manchester City have secured Liverpool's position in fourth place.
Liverpool is scheduled to play Chelsea on Saturday, which is critical for their Champions League qualification.

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The Reds know that four points from their final three games will guarantee a top-five placing regardless of what happens elsewhere, and they could accumulate 75% of that total in one go if they extend Chelseaâs Premier League losing streak in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
A home win at Anfield would completely remove Brentford and Brighton from the equation before their matches later that day (away to Manchester City and at home to Wolves respectively), and itâd leave the Cherries needing maximum points from their three remaining fixtures.
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Thereâs a scenario in which even a draw for Liverpool could be enough to see them qualify for the Champions League at the weekend, if Bournemouth were to lose at Fulham and both Brentford and Brighton fail to win.
In short, the Reds simply need to better the result of Andoni Iraolaâs side, while the Bees and Seagulls would have to better our result if theyâre to retain any mathematical hope of a top-five finish.
The good news for Arne Slotâs team is that their fate remains very much in their own hands, and in terms of the form book over the past six matchweeks, they couldnât ask for more accommodating opponents than Chelsea at Anfield.
Itâd be unwise to take the Blues for granted, given how weâve failed to win against three of the current bottom five at home, but Liverpool should absolutely be capable of beating Callum McFarlaneâs side and putting themselves on the brink of Champions League qualification.
Securing that feat on Saturday wonât hide the reality that this season has been a bitter disappointment overall, but itâd at least allow us to go into our final two games free of any pressure outside of maintaining pride and finishing as high as possible within the top five.