How many points Liverpool need to guarantee Champions League qualification after Everton win
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SportFootballLiverpool FCChampions League qualification for Liverpool could be just three games away after a dramatic win against Everton on SundayLiverpool have taken a huge step towards qualifying for next season's Champions League after netting a last-minute winner against Everton in the Merseyside Derby. Virgil Van Dijk headed home in the 100th minute to claim all three points and hand Arne Slot's side a major boost in the race to secure a top-five finish.Just five games of the 2025/26 season are left on the schedule and to secure Champions League football for next season, Liverpool now require nine points.That tally may not even be needed however, with Chelsea continuing to drop points which has seen Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton and Everton - despite losing to their rivals - close the gap.It was an action-packed first half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a chaotic few minutes seeing an Iliman Ndiaye strike ruled out for offside before Mohamed Salah opened the scoring after Cody Gakpo's defence-splitting through ball.READ MORE: Liverpool handed new injury blow vs Everton as player makes Premier League debutThe Blues equalised through Beto early into the second-half when he turned home Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's low cross.
Giorgi Mamardashvili was injured during that incident which saw Freddie Woodman introduced for his Premier League debut.The 29-year-old was rarely tested by Everton in the final 30 minutes with Liverpool also not having too many attacks in search of a winner until Van Dijk guided Dominik Szoboszlai's corner past Jordan Pickford.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageLiverpool would have remained fifth regardless of the result following the outcome of Saturday's games with all of Fulham, Brentford, Brighton and Chelsea dropping points.
Liam Rosenior's side can close that back down to just two before the champions play again as their fixture against Brighton that was scheduled for next weekend has been brought forward to this coming Tuesday.Aston Villa, who are above Liverpool, also struck late to win a chaotic seven-goal thriller against Sunderland with Tammy Abraham on target in stoppage time after they conceded twice in the final minutes of normal time.Unai Emery's side have therefore remained three points clear of Liverpool with the two teams still needing to face off at Villa Park.That clash is not for a few weeks however, with focus first on games against Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Chelsea before that.Sealing a spot amongst Europe's elite can be secured even before the match against Villa with wins in their next three fixtures enough to guarantee a top-five finish. Learn moreSky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCUEFA Champions League