Your morning Liverpool headlines on Wednesday, April 26.
Liverpool Champions League route clearer after Fulham vs Aston Villa result
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.
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.
For the full story, click here.
Liverpool offered new European qualification route by Man United
Not often can Liverpool supporters be found cheering on Manchester United.
And, in truth, they probably weren't on Sunday as the Old Trafford side eked their way to the FA Cup final with a penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley.
But defeat for the Seagulls was actually good news for the Reds. Well, at least in terms of improving their chances of European football next season.
Seven places are available to English teams. Those who finish in the top four of the Premier League are guaranteed to qualify for the Champions League after United were dumped out of the Europa League by Sevilla on Thursday evening, therefore removing the prospect of Erik ten Hag's side finishing outside the top four but taking one of the Champions League places as Europa League winners.
At the start of the campaign, one Europa League berth is available to the team finishing fifth in the Premier League, with another going to the FA Cup winners. The League Cup winners are handed a place in the Europa Conference League.
Ian Doyle has more, here.
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