How many points Liverpool needs to qualify for Champions League after win over Crystal Palace

• 

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Champions League

After Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, attention turns to how many points are needed to clinch Champions League qualification this season

Liverpool boosted its Champions League hopes with a win over Palace(Image: Photo by Kristian Skeie UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Liverpool boosted its push for Champions League qualification with a crucial win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, tightening its grip on a top-five place.

The Reds built a strong first-half lead as Alexander Isak scored his first home league goal for the club, before Andy Robertson added what could prove to be his final goal for the Reds before the break. Palace responded after the interval with a controversial strike from Daniel Muñoz, scored while Freddie Woodman was down following a collision with Ismaïla Sarr, sparking anger from the Liverpool bench.

However, Florian Wirtz sealed the win late on, moving Liverpool eight points clear in the race for a top-five finish. Liverpool also suffered a blow after an injury to Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool now requires six points to mathematically secure a top-five finish, with Brentford still capable of reaching a maximum of 63 points.

However, that target could drop to five points if Manchester United beat Brentford on Monday, with Brighton & Hove Albion then emerging as the closest challengers in the race for Champions League qualification.

The Opta supercomputer now gives Liverpool. a 97.9% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, underlining their strong position in the race for European football.

It was also only the third time this season that Liverpool have recorded back-to-back home league victories, highlighting the importance of their recent improvement at Anfield.

Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Andy Robertson were on target in the win over Crystal Palace

Woodman delivered a crucial performance for Liverpool stepping in for the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker.

The stand-in goalkeeper made five saves and showed composure in possession, with one key intervention directly leading to a goal for Robertson. Remarkably, just 15 seconds separated Woodman’s save at 39:33 from Liverpool’s second goal at 39:48.

Robertson later praised Woodman’s impact, saying his contribution deserved special recognition and highlighting the confidence within the squad following the win.

"Our objectives this season have changed due to our form, but the Champions League is important to this football club, and we've made a big step. We knew if we won, we could go above Villa. We want to chase the teams above us."

Palace manager also hailed Woodman's performance.

“The difference was the efficiency. Liverpool were clinical and we were not,” said the Austrian.

“The goalkeeper had the day of his life so congrats to him. We kept believing until the end. It was really positive and this is what we take into the final weeks.”