What Liverpool need on final day of the season to secure Champions League

Liverpool need to avoid defeat against Brentford on the final day to book their spot in next season's Champions League - but even a defeat could still be good enough provided it isn't a heavy one

Liverpool are all but in the Champions League after Bournemouth's draw on Tuesday night - but mathematically the possibility of them missing out still exists.

The Cherries are in the midst of a 17-match unbeaten run, which has seen them romp into Europe for next season, and they drew with Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. That ensured Arsenal became champions, but meant Bournemouth all but waved goodbye to fifth.

Bournemouth saw Liverpool lose handsomely at Aston Villa on Friday, but they still trail them by three points ahead of the season's final day. Andoni Iraola's side would need to win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday and see Arne Slot's side to lose to Brentford with a six-goal swing in goal difference.

The odds of that remain unlikely with two commanding wins needed. Liverpool know that failing to qualify for the Champions League would be disastrous - and likely lead to a serious conversation around the future of Slot.

The Reds were celebrating Premier League glory this time 12 months ago. They followed that by spending £450million on new players, but a lack of form, injuries to key individuals and tactical issues have marred them all season.

Liverpool were beaten by Brentford earlier this season in west London, but the Reds have never lost to the Bees at Anfield in the Premier League. Slot has hinted that Alexander Isak could return for the final outing of the season.

The make up of the Premier League's Champions League sides next season will be heavily influenced by what Aston Villa do over the coming days. If Unai Emery's side do not win the Europa League or don't finish fifth, then sixth and seventh in the Premier League will qualify for the Europa League, and eighth will qualify for the Conference League, as would be normal.

But if Aston Villa win the Europa League final on Wednesday and finish fifth in the Premier League, then the top six will all qualify for the Champions League. Emery's side head to City on the final day and a loss for them, coupled with a win for Liverpool would see the Reds finish fourth.

If the aforementioned scenario arises then seventh would go into the Europa League and eighth into the Conference League.

Regardless of what happens Bournemouth know they have landed European football of some kind for the first time in the club’s 127-year history. Midfielder Alex Scott said on the achievement: “Massive. For this club where it was, fighting in League Two. Nearly going bust, it’s amazing."