How many points do Liverpool need for guaranteed Champions League place after Man United favour?

Of course, a draw in the Merseyside derby (which’d correspond with Paul Merson’s prediction) would preserve the five-point gap to the Toffees, who’d go level on points with Chelsea, and anything but a win for the Wearsiders would mean they can get no more than 62 points.

Liverpool have a (theoretically) simple formula to aim towards

As David Lynch has maintained, there is one theoretically simple formula for Liverpool to aspire towards in their pursuit of a top-five finish – win their home games and draw on the road.

That’d see the Reds add 12 more points to their tally and finish on 64, but with one of those away matches being the Merseyside derby, a draw would ensure that Everton can’t accrue any more than 63.

Even a point at home to Chelsea on 9 May could be enough to confirm we finish ahead of the west Londoners by the time that fixture comes around, should their poor form continue.

Liverpool very much have Champions League qualification in their own hands, and while that’d remain the case with a draw today, a win in the derby would put them at least six points clear of the chasing pack (seven if Sunderland don’t beat Aston Villa simultaneously).

As horrendous as this season has been, the inconsistencies of other teams are leaving the door wide open for the Reds to ensure that a top-five finish is theirs with a bit to spare. That is, of course, if they can address the inadequacies which have them sweating for Champions League football rather than mounting another title challenge.