Liverpool's hopes of securing European football for next season were dealt another blow on Tuesday evening after Aston Villa's win over Fulham.
Tyrone Mings scored the only goal of the game in the 21st minute, handing Unai Emery's side another three points in their quest for a top-six finish. Villa have now secured victories in eight of their previous ten Premier League fixtures, drawing the remaining two games against Brentford and West Ham United.
Overtaking Tottenham Hotspur in the table, the West Midlands-based side now lead Liverpool by four points but have played two games more than the Reds. Teams finishing fifth and sixth are expected to be competing in next year's UEFA Europa League, with seventh spot looking likely to result in UEFA Conference League participation.
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Liverpool will have the chance to put more pressure on their European rivals on Wednesday when they visit West Ham, however. Jurgen Klopp's men have recovered some form in recent weeks after a difficult campaign, with wins over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest keeping their slender hopes of a top-four finish alive.
They trail Manchester United (fourth) and Tottenham Hotspur (sixth) - who also play each other on Wednesday - by nine and three points respectively. United have played a game fewer than Jurgen Klopp's side, while Spurs have played one more.
Newcastle United are in third position, ahead of the Red Devils courtesy of their superior goal difference. They are in action a day after the Reds, with a trip to relegation-threatened Everton to come on Thursday.
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