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But only a mathematical freak can now prevent Liverpool from making a swift return to the Champions League next season.

The draw at West Ham United on Saturday may have realistically ended hopes of sending off Jurgen Klopp as a Premier League winner for the second time but, coupled with Tottenham Hotspur's 3-2 loss at home to Arsenal the following day, it was sufficient to effectively secure a top-four slot for the Reds.

Fifth-placed Tottenham are 15 points behind Klopp's side with five games remaining, meaning Spurs would have to win all five games and Liverpool lose their remaining three while there is at least a 26-goal swing in goal difference in favour of the Londoners.

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That isn't going to happen.

Instead of eight groups of four, there is now just one single league table including all the teams, the total of which has been bumped up from 32 to 36.

Clubs will play eight games - an increase on the current six - with four at home and four away, all of which will be against different opponents.

England had been expected to take one of the two places until their poor showings in the quarter-finals, with Italy confirmed as one of the countries and Germany now almost certain to be the other.

The Europa League and Europa Conference League are also switching to a 36-team single league phase for the first round, although the latter competition will see teams play only six matches in the league stage.

So does that mean no more lengthy draw?

Teams will face two teams from each pot, with clubs from the same country not able to face each other in the league stage.

No human has yet been born who can withstand such tedium.

After the final 16 is determined following the play-off round, the knockout stages will be shaped by a seeding system, which for example means the teams that finish in the top two of the league stage then cannot meet until the final.

Liverpool have only twice before played a European game in January - Ferencvaros in 1968 and Juventus in 1985 - but the extra games in the Champions League group stage means there will be two matches towards the end of that month next season.
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