Liverpool handed Champions League boost after Arne Slot made feelings clear

Liverpool did its own job this weekend in the race for the Champions League places, and was then able to watch on as Manchester United and Chelsea played on Sunday

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

For a while, it looked like Liverpool was going to get the perfect weekend in the race for the Champions League spots.

Aston Villa lost at Wolves on Friday — a warning for the Reds ahead of next week's double-header — and then Manchester United went a goal behind early on against Crystal Palace. A red card and two goals later, though, Michael Carrick's men got the three points over the line.

With Liverpool having beaten West Ham United, the Reds could then watch the sides immediately above and below them. Manchester United won, but Chelsea, in a boost to Liverpool, dropped more points, this time at Arsenal.

For a long period, Chelsea did well in the game at the Emirates Stadium, but it typically ended up shooting itself in the foot.

Robert Sanchez, its goalkeeper, was awful, and Pedro Neto was sent off for two bookings in quick succession, effectively ending any hopes that Chelsea had of getting anything.

Sanchez flapped at almost everything that came near him and nearly gifted the ball to Arsenal players who might have scored on a few occasions, while Neto made a ridiculous challenge in the knowledge he had already been cautioned.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Chelsea will be competitive in the run-in, and Liverpool is, of course, far from perfect at the moment. But a brief look at the calendar for both teams in the next few weeks shows the chance the Reds have begun to take.

Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Aston Villa before tricky-looking games with Newcastle United, Everton and both Manchester clubs.

Liverpool, meanwhile, takes on Wolves on Tuesday. It then has Tottenham, Brighton, Fulham and Everton — there are no easy fixtures, of course, but on paper, they are more winnable than Chelsea's.

"The way I see it, this is another game for us, and we are not so focused on other teams as all managers always say. We are only focused mainly on ourselves," Slot said before his team beat West Ham.

"We know we need to win a lot of games, because our competitors for these Champions League places are very good teams as well.

"Winning a lot, that is where our focus is. Not so much about points and gaps, although we are aware of the table. That's for sure."

Liverpool did win this weekend, and is now fifth — three points off both Manchester United and Aston Villa. Though it can't have any influence on its rivals (unless it is playing against them), the results elsewhere offered a big boost too.