How Liverpool can catch Manchester United and secure Champions League football next season
Following United's slump in form, the Reds could capitalise...
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Your support makes all the difference.It all seemed wrapped up for Manchester United following six Premier League victories on the bounce, but a trio of defeats have opened the Champions League door for Liverpool.
Brendan Rodgers' men laboured to a 2-1 home victory over doomed Queens Park Rangers yesterday which took them to within just four points of their bitter foes.
United, meanwhile, crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford to West Bromwich Albion as the hunt for a top four spot was thrown wide open.
But what do Liverpool still need to do?
The Reds, who were knocked out of both the Capital One Cup and FA Cup in the semi-finals, travel to Chelsea next week before facing Crystal Palace and Stoke City at Anfield and the Britannia Stadium respectively.
Louis van Gaal's men also lock horns with Alan Pardew's Eagles on 9th May before Arsenal look to take points from Old Trafford the following weekend. A final day meeting with Hull City, who may be scrapping for their lives at the bottom, is also a potential banana skin.
So, if United's current losing streak continued until the end of the season, Liverpool would need four points and a 13 goal swing in their favour.
While that may seem unlikely, it's worth remembering that United's goal difference will be getting chipped away at by their three defeats in this fictional scenario.
If Van Gaal's man can conjure up a single win in the final three weeks, however, Liverpool would then need to win all three matches to better the seven points required to overhaul their rivals' total.
Should the Red Devils win twice, then it's curtains for Rodgers as the Europa League suddenly becomes the most likely of outcomes.
If you're looking for drama, it's probably best to focus on the relegation scrap.
Manchester United fixtures: Crystal Palace (a), 9th May; Arsenal (h), 17th May; Hull (a), 24th May.
Liverpool fixtures: Chelsea (a), 10th May; Crystal Palace (h), 16th May; Stoke (a), 24th May.
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