Liverpool have left it late to revive their European aspirations this campaign, but results across the Premier League on Thursday night opened up their most-likely route.
Jurgen Klopp and his Reds have endured a frustrating season in the main. However, three straight wins and some favourable slip-ups from other sides chasing after Champions League and Europa League qualification have allowed them to sneak through the back gate.
Now that arch rivals Manchester United have faltered in their Europa League charge, the top-four will book their places in the marquee competition; for next season. As things stand, it looks like United and Newcastle will fill the last two spots behind title favourites Manchester City and table-toppers Arsenal.
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Newcastle were, incidentally, in Liverpool on Thursday night for a match with relegation-threatened Everton and the Reds will have been - not so secretly - cheering on their neighbours. However, even that did not give them any extra luck as Newcastle swept their hosts aside.
Goals from Callum Wilson (2), Joelinton and Jacob Murphy did the damage in a 4-1 triumph which leaves the Saudi-backed Magpies third in the Premier League standings. But what about the chasing pack?
Manchester United appeared to be in full control against Tottenham on Thursday night - when leading 2-0 through goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford - before the points were shared as Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min ultimately pegged them back upon the restart.
When the final whistle sounded, Tottenham had jumped past Aston Villa and Liverpool into fifth place on 54 points from their 33 games. Aside from goal difference, Villa have an identical record to them in sixth place as Liverpool now hold a narrow advantage when it comes to Europa League qualification.
A point behind those two sides, the Reds have a game in hand to play, while they also meet Tottenham over their final six matches. Liverpool and the others will be looking over their shoulders, though, because Brighton have only played 30 fixtures while totting-up 49 points.
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