How Liverpool's Champions League hopes change if Aston Villa win the Europa League
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
Aston Villa's two routes to Champions League qualification could impact Liverpool's European hopesLiverpool could be handed a boost in the race for Champions League football if Aston Villa win the Europa League. Sitting fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool are battling to secure a Champions League spot.However, the congested table at the top could complicate their task.
Should they fall short in the league, their remaining hope would be for Villa to lift the Europa League - a result that could open up an additional Champions League place for the Premier League.READ MORE: Liverpool release statement after 'abhorrent' racist abuse of Ibrahima KonateREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah injury confirmed as Arne Slot rules Liverpool star out of Brighton clashAs Tottenham did last season, if Villa were to claim the Europa League, they would automatically qualify for next season's Champions League as a reward for their achievement. What may complicate matters is if Villa win the Europa League and also qualify for the Champions League by virtue of their position in the Premier League table.Consequently, if Villa were to finish within the top four or five in the Premier League and clinch the Europa League title, this could alter the Champions League qualification landscape.Should Villa secure fifth place in the Premier League and triumph in the Europa League, an additional Champions League spot could be allocated to English clubs.If Villa were to finish fifth, all of the top five would qualify for the Champions League, and the sixth-place team could also earn a spot in the competition due to the extra place awarded to England based on their coefficient ranking.However, if Villa were to finish fourth and win the Europa League, England would not receive an additional Champions League qualification spot.
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageLiverpool also have a part to play due to their involvement in the Champions League.If the Anfield side were to lift the trophy, Villa win the Europa League, and both clubs finish in fifth and sixth place in the Premier League, then even seventh place in the table could become sufficient for Champions League qualification.Unai Emery's side slipped to fourth position in the Premier League table last weekend following their loss to Manchester United, and are merely two points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool and three clear of sixth-placed Chelsea.Villa also have the Europa League to anticipate after the international break, having overcome Lille 3-0 on aggregate in their last-16 tie this week, which saw Emery and Co. secure a place in the quarter-final, where Serie A side Bologna will be their adversaries.With Villa competing on multiple fronts at the crucial stage of the season, it appears that the outcome of the campaign could have an influence on the rest of the Premier League.Find the best flights and hotels for Champions League gamesThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreVarious PricesBooking.comSee the deals hereBooking.com provides countless deals on flights and accommodation across Europe so Liverpool fans can follow the team to Turkey for their Champions League tie with Galatasaray.