There might have been a sense of relief around Anfield on Tuesday night as Arsenal's victory over Sporting CP ensured the Premier League would have a fifth Champions League spot next season. That is ideal news for the Reds, who currently sit fifth in the division, though it might not alleviate too much pressure.
Arne Slot will not have to worry too much about the five-point gap to Aston Villa in fourth, or the six-point gap to Manchester United in third, at least for the purposes of European qualification. But fifth is far from secure for a Liverpool side enduring a disappointing season.
The Merseyside club have just a one-point advantage over Chelsea and a three-point gap to Brentford and Everton. There is no room for slipping up unless their rivals do too.
But at the very least, earning fifth place in the Premier League is in Liverpool's hands. Chelsea can reach a total of 69 points if they win all of their remaining matches, but that would include beating the Reds en route and mean the Blues have leapfrogged them.
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A draw in the clash would mean Chelsea can only reach 67 points. That would mean that Liverpool still required six wins, in addition to their draw with Liam Rosenior's side, to hit 68 points.
If Liverpool can beat Chelsea, six wins and 67 points will prove enough, with the Blues only able to hit 66. That would include a final-day win over Brentford to maintain the club's advantage over the Bees, and a victory over Everton later this month to do the same with regard to the Toffees.
Slot and co could still earn Champions League qualification by earning success in this year's competition. They line up against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the competition on Wednesday night.
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The former Feyenoord boss is hoping his side can quickly bounce back from FA Cup defeat against Manchester City, for their trip to Paris. "The good thing is that during this year we have become quite experienced in terms of negativity because of all the setbacks we've had this season," he said at the Parc des Princes.
"This was a big one because it was the quarter-final, because it was a big loss, because it was against our rivals. But for me it felt just as bad when we were 3-2 up at Leeds and we conceded in extra time and when we were going 2-1 up against Fulham and we conceded in extra time.
"If I start to name all the setbacks we had this season, I see other people want to ask questions [in this press conference], then it's probably not possible [to list them all]."
