Liverpool offered new European qualification route by…

Liverpool offered new European qualification route by Manchester 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.

However, with both United and fellow FA Cup finalists Manchester City expected to finish in the top five, it means the team finishing in sixth place will also be given a Europa League berth along with the team finishing fifth - both progressing directly to the group stages.

And as United have already won the League Cup, the Europa Conference League berth is now poised to be handed to the team finishing seventh, as it was last year with West Ham United, who have reached the semi-finals of the competition this season.

Liverpool, of course, still harbour hopes of an unlikely top-four finish, although it would realistically require Jurgen Klopp's side win all their remaining six games and either Newcastle United or Manchester United suffer a loss of form. The Reds now stand six points off the Champions League berths after their 2-1 win at West Ham tonight. But they have played two more matches than the Red Devils and one more than the Magpies, who head to Everton on Thursday night.

But that sixth place will most likely secure Europa League qualification has bolstered their chances of a place in Europe next season while avoiding the Europa Conference League, the qualifiers of which would face a play-off round in late August.

The Reds are now sixth, a point behind Aston Villa in fifth, but with a game in hand and a far superior goal difference. They also have to host Villa at Anfield in the coming weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur, who make their way to Anfield on Sunday, are seventh and level on points with Liverpool, but with a inferior goal difference.

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