After losing 3-2 to Manchester United on Sunday, Liverpool’s hopes of making the top three are probably over. But considering what a terrible campaign this has been billed as, finishing fourth would not be so bad. After a sensational summer transfer window, many fans and pundits thought the Reds would waltz to the title. However, for a range of reasons, including the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and injuries to key players, the season has not played out like that. Even so, with just three games remaining, Arne Slot’s men look to have every chance of finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League next term.
After gameweek 15, the Reds were down in 10th place in the table, and in the second half of the campaign, they have spent six rounds of games in sixth position. As such, making the top four, or even the top five, represents a decent end to the season. As well as securing an all-important slot in next term’s UCL, it also gives the club something to build on for 2026/27, with a return to a title bid the aim.
Painful Old Trafford Defeat as United Complete Double
Defeat. #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/Qhlfh13Gao
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 3, 2026
Any hope the Reds had of finishing third, above great rivals Manchester United, was ended on Sunday when they went down 3-2 at Old Trafford. The two heavyweights of English football, tied on a record 20 top-flight titles each, came into the game three points apart, with the Red Devils third on 61 points and Liverpool fourth on 58.
That gap is now six points, and with just nine now up for grabs, it seems the Manchester side will finish above Liverpool for the first time since 2022/23. Considering the Reds were 42 points better off than their rivals last term, it is quite the turnaround. The win for the hosts also meant that they completed the double over the 2024/25 top flight champions for the first time since 2015/16.
United won 2-1 at Anfield back in October at a time when Liverpool were in dreadful form. They lost six out of seven league games in autumn to essentially drop out of the title battle, having begun the campaign with five consecutive PL wins.
In this return fixture the travelling fans would have had a little optimism, with Slot’s side heading to Old Trafford having won each of their last three matches. However, any hope and optimism was soon made to look foolish as the home team raced out of the blocks and caused Liverpool’s defence serious problems right from the off.
After 14 minutes, the home team were two goals to the good and at half time, Slot would have been thankful his men only trailed by two. The away side had much more of the ball, but they looked worryingly open at the back as has so often been the case this term.
Amazingly, they got back into the game in the second half, starting well after United were forced into a sub at the break, Amad replacing goalscorer Benjamin Sesko. It was Amad who made the mistake that gave the Reds a foothold in the clash, too, the sub’s poor pass going straight to Dominik Szoboszlai, albeit inside the Liverpool midfielder’s half.
Szoboszlai strode forward and just kept going, and while it was a superb run and finish, the home defenders just backed off and let him run half the length of the pitch. That goal came in the 47th minute and to the shock of a stunned Old Trafford, it was, miraculously, 2-2 just nine minutes later.
Again, it was a mistake by the hosts, with goalie Senne Lammens playing out from the back and gifting the ball to Alexis Mac Allister. The Reds moved it well and Cody Gakpo was left with a tap-in. At this stage, the visitors were on top and pressed for a winner.
The second half was more even, and the teams exchanged chances, sharing 19 shots almost evenly. As the game approached the final 10 minutes, home favourite Kobbie Mainoo scored what proved to be the winner. The local hero, an outcast under Ruben Amorim, had recently signed a new contract, having been rejuvenated under Michael Carrick. He celebrated it by firing home from the edge of the area through a crowd of bodies, and his side held on for a win that secured United’s place in the UCL next term.
But Liverpool Looking Good
Later the same day, Villa, who had rested players ahead of their Europa League semi, lost at home to Spurs. That meant Liverpool stayed ahead of the Villans on goal difference, with both six points clear of Bournemouth. With the top five guaranteed Champions League football next term, and Liverpool boasting a goal difference eight better than Villa’s and nine superior to the Cherries, the Reds are almost assured of a spot at Europe’s top table in 2026/27.
Their fixtures are not easy, although they should win against a horribly out-of-form Chelsea at Anfield next up. After that, they travel to Villa Park before ending the season at home to Brentford. It has not been the season any Red wanted, but the minimum goal of Champions League qualification should be achieved.