Liverpool have been dealt a Premier League title boost after West Ham United were knocked out of the Europa League at the semi-final stage.
The Hammers had been trailing 2-1 on aggregate to Eintracht Frankfurt after losing at the London Stadium in the first leg, and lost 1-0 against the Bundesliga outfit in Germany to miss out on a final appearance and end their European challenge for the season.
Had David Moyes’ side won the Europa League, they would have qualified for next season’s Champions League. Now, however, their best chance of qualifying for Europe remains through league position with them needing to finish the season strongly as a result or risk failing to qualify altogether.
READ MORE: 'Can’t deny it' - Pep Guardiola makes Man City admission before title battle with Liverpool
READ MORE: Liverpool and Nike unveil new home kit for 2022/23 season
West Ham currently sit seventh in the table, three points clear of Wolves having played a game more, with such a position earning them a place in the Europa Conference League next season. However, they boast a game in hand on sixth-placed Manchester United so still have a chance of overtaking the Red Devils and qualifying for next season’s Europa League with three games left to play.
One of West Ham’s final three matches is at home to Premier League leaders Man City on May 15, with the Hammers arguably the sternest test left for Pep Guardiola’s men as they look to win the title.
Had Moyes’ men reached the Europa League final, their home clash with City would have been their final game ahead of the match, with the Premier League already granting their request to bring forward their kick-off time to 2pm to give them additional time to prepare for a potential final appearance. Meanwhile, the former Everton and Manchester United boss would have surely rotated his side with them inevitably distracted at the possibility of silverware as a result.
However, having missed out on the Europa League final, West Ham now have to finish the Premier League season strongly if they wish to qualify for Europe again for next season. As a result, their exit has, on paper, made City’s task of picking up maximum points at the London Stadium a harder proposition.
Guardiola’s side currently lead Liverpool by just one point in the Premier League title-race with four games left to play, with the Reds needing City to drop points to have any chance of winning the title.
Meanwhile, West Ham managed to pick up home victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea during the first half of the season, while they also beat Man City on penalties in the League Cup following a 0-0 draw at the London Stadium.
