Liverpool still harbour slim hopes they can qualify for the Champions League next season - but they will not be offered an alternative route if Manchester City win the competition this campaign.
After defeating Real Madrid over two legs, Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team are one step away from winning elusive European honours. City will play Inter Milan in the impending showpiece.
Held in Istanbul on Saturday, June 10, all eyes will be on that match. However, for Liverpool and other English sides watching, there will be no direct qualification boost as a result.
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Amid what has been a largely frustrating campaign at Anfield, seven wins on the spin have seen the Reds go up to fifth position in the Premier League standings. They are one point behind Manchester United right now, as well as Newcastle in third place, but those two sides do still have a game in hand to come.
It means three will be whittled down to two by the domestic finale (Sunday, May 28). Ordinary, there would be additional spots in Europe for English clubs if City and West Ham reign supreme in the Champions League and Europa Conference League respectively. However, there will be no extra ticket to the top table.
Results in upcoming European finals will not particularly have an impact on what UEFA competition Liverpool will be competing in next season. As per qualification rules, City will earn their berth in the Champions League spot by getting their hands on the famous trophy - but they have already done so due to their Premier League finish which could, yet, result in another top-flight crown.
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No matter what happens in their title charge, Guardiola and his players have rubber-stamped their top-four position. However, for the side that misses out - between Manchester United, Newcastle United and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool - that additional Champions League place will not be directly passed down.
Automatic qualification would, in this particular case, go to whoever wins the highest-ranked national league within the UEFA bracket without such a privilege. As thing stand, that would be the Ukrainian Premier League champions that benefits, with Shakhtar Donetsk current leaders there.
It would usually be permitted for five clubs from the same country to play in the Champions League. In order for that to happen, though, a team must win the competition and finish outside of the top four in the Premier League; so Liverpool have one path into the UCL by finishing fourth or above.
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