Liverpool may be involved in bizarre Premier League scenario where opponent actually wants to lose
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Liverpool will host Brentford on the final day of the Premier League season, but Keith Andrews might actually need to lose the game in a bizarre Champions League twistLiverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Liverpool will almost certainly have nothing to play for on the final day of the season with Champions League qualification on the verge of being confirmed — it might even be done this weekend if results go the Reds' way.However, there is a bizarre scenario that could come into play that would mean it being in Brentford's interest to deliberately LOSE at Anfield in order to qualify for the Champions League.That is because there could be six English teams that make it into UEFA's top competition next season if Aston Villa wins the Europa League AND finishes in fifth spot in the domestic standings, with Brentford currently ninth.READ MORE: How Liverpool can qualify for Champions League this weekend with Man Utd resultREAD MORE: Milos Kerkez 'going to miss' Liverpool star as Dominik Szoboszlai friendship clearThe team that wins the second-tier European tournament automatically gets put into the Champions League for the following year, which is what happened last season with Tottenham.But the Premier League has also earned a fifth Champions League spot via its strong performances in all three UEFA competitions this season, which improved its coefficient.As a result, if Aston Villa comes fifth in the Premier League AND wins the Europa League, the sixth-placed English team would be bumped up into the Champions League.There is a possibility, after a very good season under Keith Andrews, that it could be Brentford. However, it might be in the Bees' interest for Liverpool to beat them to ensure that the Reds come above Aston Villa after 38 games.Keith Andrews applauds the fans after the Brentford vs Everton match at Gtech Community Stadium(Image: Paul Terry/Sportimage/SmartFrame)If Brentford is in a position where it can come sixth without needing any points on the final day, it would know that a Liverpool win could see the Reds confirm third or fourth place, with Aston Villa fifth — which is what it requires.Should Aston Villa move above Liverpool and finish third or fourth, that would mean the sixth Champions League spot being taken away, regardless of what happens in the Europa League.Therefore, only in very specific circumstances would Brentford require a defeat to Liverpool for that to come into play, but it is not impossible.Next up, Brentford has West Ham.
It then plays Manchester City and Crystal Palace before traveling to Anfield. If it wins its next three matches, which would be a big ask, then a sixth-place finish could be on the cards.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Even then, though, Liverpool might have already done enough to finish ahead of Aston Villa. The Reds go to Villa Park in their final away match of the season, with that fixture scheduled for just a few days before the Europa League final.Liverpool has Manchester United and Chelsea before that, and has seemingly started to turn a corner under Arne Slot, winning each of its last three league fixtures.Unai Emery's Aston Villa has Nottingham Forest to beat first in the Europa League semi-final, but is the favorite to progress to Istanbul.In that case, it is likely to have some focus on preparing for that game, with Champions League qualification via the league likely to be wrapped up.