What needs to happen for Liverpool vs Bournemouth Champions League play-off
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
SportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool aren't quite in the Champions League next season just yet even if it will take a remarkable set of results to stop them on SundayEveryone associated with Liverpool will be glad to see the back of a difficult, dismal, disappointing campaign. But there's a chance - no matter how slight - the season could be extended beyond Sunday's final Premier League game at home to Brentford.Bournemouth's 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City on Tuesday evening not only handed the title to Arsenal and ensured European qualification for the Cherries, it also meant they cannot finish with more points than fifth-placed Liverpool.But while Bournemouth were the only side after last weekend's results who could knock the Reds out of a Champions League qualification berth, the job isn't quite done yet for Arne Slot's side, even if it would take a remarkable last day to deny them their place among Europe's elite.A defeat for Liverpool against Brentford and victory for Bournemouth at Nottingham Forest would move the teams level on 59 points.READ MORE: Xabi Alonso decision 'difficult to accept' as Liverpool manager approach explainedREAD MORE: Twelve players could miss Liverpool vs Brentford as major injury update imminentHowever, with the Reds having a superior goal difference, the South Coast side would need a seven-goal swing in their favour to guarantee fifth place.A six-goal swing may also be sufficient, although it would need Bournemouth to score at least six times at the City Ground to ensure they have a chance of finishing with more goals scored than the Reds.And there is a particular series of results that could lead to a major headache for the Premier League.Should Liverpool lose by one goal and Bournemouth win by five while scoring exactly five more goals than Slot's side - for example, Liverpool lose 1-0 and Bournemouth win 5-0, or the Reds lose 2-1 and the Cherries win 6-1 - then the teams will be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.In that case, Premier League positions are determined by the head-to-head results between the teams.
With Liverpool winning 4-2 at Anfield and Bournemouth triumphant 3-2 at the Vitality Stadium, they are level on that metric.But rather than goal difference in those games, which would favour Liverpool, the final determining point is the number of goals scored away in those matches. After all, there's little appetite for this Liverpool season to go on any longer than the weekend.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageGet 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.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC