After winning at Manchester United, BBC Sport asks whether Liverpool are now favourites for the top four and looks at each of the other sides battling to qualify for the Champions League.
Thursday’s impressive 4-2 win against Manchester United means they are four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures see them face three sides with nothing to play for. They are away to already relegated West Brom on Sunday before travelling to Burnley on 19 May and then hosting Crystal Palace in their final game on 23 May.
With Chelsea and Leicester – two sides currently above the Reds – both yet to play each other, are Jurgen Klopp’s side now in pole position to clinch a Champions League spot?
‘We have to win all our games’
Despite trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by four points, Liverpool now know if they win all their games – and overhaul Leicester’s goal difference advantage of one – they will qualify for the Champions League next season.
This is because it is now impossible for top-four rivals Leicester and Chelsea to both get more than 69 points, Liverpool’s maximum potential tally, as a result of their two top-four rivals playing each other on Tuesday.
It sounds simple to win against three sides with their minds more likely on their summer break after a long and intense season, but Klopp knows that is easier said than done.
“We have really tough games coming up,” he said.
“West Brom will be completely free of pressure, which can do strange things, Burnley with supporters is a tough one and we will see what we have to do against Crystal Palace.
“We have to win all the games. That’s why the draws we have had against Newcastle and Leeds felt like defeats. Being in a position where you have it in your own hands to qualify for the Champions League is a big thing. Two or three years ago that was our life.”
‘More twists and turns to come’
Former England winger Chris Waddle was at Old Trafford on Thursday for BBC Radio 5 Live and he believes beating Manchester United makes Liverpool favourites to finish in the top four.
“This will give them so much confidence going into the three games and they will think they can win them,” he said.
“I will be very surprised if they don’t. With the quality they have on the field and the bench they have enough to win those three games.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison said the fixture between Chelsea, who are fourth, and third-placed Leicester on 18 May will be key.
“I think Liverpool will be looking at Chelsea’s and Leicester’s next two fixtures,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Leicester’s next two are Chelsea and Spurs and they are difficult fixtures. I think there will be more twists and turns to come.”
How does Liverpool’s form compare to the other sides in the hunt?
Recent form: WWDLW
Injured players: Harvey Barnes (knee), Jonny Evans (ankle), James Justin (knee), Wes Morgan (back)
Remaining fixtures – home in caps (with current position of opponent): Chelsea (4th), TOTTENHAM (7th)
Leicester’s 2-1 win at Manchester United on Tuesday leaves the Foxes in a great position to qualify for the Champions League for only the second time after they reached the quarter-finals in 2016-17 following their shock Premier League title the previous campaign.
The Foxes spent most of last season in the top four before agonisingly dropping out with two games to go and they need a maximum of four points from their last two matches to ensure history does not repeat itself.
Brendan Rodgers’ side also have an FA Cup final against Chelsea to focus on and it could be a double celebration at the King Power Stadium this year.
Remaining fixtures – home in caps (with current position of opponent): LEICESTER (3rd), Aston Villa (11th)
Chelsea are in excellent shape to claim a place in next season’s Champions League, with two routes still available to them: a place in the top four or beating Manchester City in the final to win this season’s competition.
That this is the case is down to their improvement and magnificent form since Thomas Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard, who was sacked in January with the Blues ninth in the table.