It’s not always results on the pitch that shape a season, and right now, Liverpool may have just been handed a potential lifeline in the race for Champions League football.
With Chelsea sitting just behind us in the table, developments off the pitch could have a huge impact on how this campaign finishes.
Football finance expert Mo Chatra explained on X that Chelsea’s record £262m loss could lead to serious UEFA consequences, even if they finish inside the top five.
He wrote: “Following Chelsea’s announcement that the club incurred a Premier League record loss of £262m, more bad news may follow in the coming weeks; they may be banned from next season’s Champions League- even if they finish in the top five of this season’s Premier League.”
That alone would completely reshape the qualification picture for us, especially given how tight things are around fifth place.
The situation stems from a previous settlement agreement with UEFA, where Chelsea committed to strict financial targets over multiple seasons, something Chatra believes they are now at serious risk of breaching.
He added: “Simply put, Chelsea are screwed either way. If that clause takes effect, exclusion from European competition means financial disaster.”
From our perspective, this could be massive, particularly with the pressure building around Arne Slot and the club’s need to secure Champions League football.
Recent results have left us vulnerable in the race for the top five, and there’s already been external noise suggesting failure to qualify could have major consequences for the Dutchman’s position.
That’s why this potential scenario matters so much, because even if we fall short on the pitch, UEFA intervention could still open the door.
Chatra even pointed out that Liverpool will be watching closely, noting that the club’s hierarchy will be monitoring how UEFA handles the situation if we end up competing directly with Chelsea for that final spot.
There’s still a long way to go, and nothing is confirmed, but in a season where margins are tight and pressure is high, this is the kind of off-field development that could end up defining whether we return to Europe’s top table.
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