Unlikely scenario where Liverpool and Bournemouth could require Champions League playoff
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool and Bournemouth could both qualify for the Champions League on Sunday — but there is a scenario when only one will, and a small chance a playoff is requiredLiverpool head coach Arne Slot is aiming for Champions League qualification(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)There is an extremely unlikely scenario in which a place in the Champions League could come down to a playoff for Liverpool and Bournemouth if results pan out in a certain way this weekend.If Liverpool loses 1-0 to Brentford on the final day of the Premier League season and Bournemouth wins 5-0 at Nottingham Forest, the teams would be level on points, have the same goal difference, and the same goals scored.After that, the table is decided on the basis of the team that collected the most points in the head-to-head matches, and then who scored the most away goals in the head-to-head — both of which are also level.READ MORE: Liverpool sent clear Alisson transfer message as Arne Slot 'perspective' requiredREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Diomande decision, Camara move, Barcola interestIn that case, Aston Villa would finish fourth, so no matter how it gets on in the Europa League final, only fifth place — and not sixth — would be good enough for a Champions League spot and Liverpool and Bournemouth wouldn't be separated.Liverpool will hope not to lose against Brentford and doing so by any other scoreline than 0-1 would mean a playoff is ruled out. Bournemouth winning 5-0 against Nottingham Forest is also unlikely and it would have to be exactly that result.Liverpool.com has contacted the Premier League for any further clarification, but the scenario is similar to how things could have been had Manchester City and Arsenal drawn 1-1 in the Premier League a few weeks ago.Arne Slot and Liverpool could be challenged by Bournemouth for fifth place(Image: Getty Images)A specific set of scores could have resulted in a title play-off, though that was never likely.Instead, Arsenal was confirmed as Premier League champion when Manchester City could only draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, setting up this potential outcome involving Liverpool.If Aston Villa beats Freiburg in the Europa League final later today, Bournemouth will actually be cheering on Liverpool at the weekend because sixth place comes into play for the Champions League if Unai Emery's men finish fifth.For that to unfold, Liverpool would need to beat Brentford on Sunday.
Aston Villa would need to beat Freiburg and then lose to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium — which is a very plausible scenario.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.Liverpool.com says: For weeks, it has seemed that the Reds would get a return to the Champions League wrapped up, but they are still in need of a final push to avoid any embarrassment.As Mohamed Salah said earlier this week, getting back into UEFA's top competition is the minimum requirement for Liverpool.It would not be a successful season by doing so, but would feel like an achievement after some of the poor performances of the last few months.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAFC BournemouthChampions League