Liverpool receives timely Premier League boost before Sunderland as rivals slip up

After Sunday's defeat, the Reds were in need of a pick-me-up before facing Sunderland on Wednesday, and was duly provided by Tuesday night's Premier League results

Manchester United and Chelsea dropped points ahead of Liverpool's trip to Sunderland in midweek

Arne Slot will sleep a little sounder ahead of his midweek trip to Sunderland after seeing Tuesday's Premier League results.

The Reds boss faced a barrage of questions in his pre-match media briefing about the Reds' chances of qualifying for the Champions League places, and the impact it will have on his position at Liverpool should he fail.

Had Tuesday's results gone badly, Liverpool faced the prospect of travelling to the North East sitting eight points behind Manchester United in fourth place. Instead, both the Red Devils and Chelsea suffered surprise slip-ups against sides currently marooned in the relegation battle.

In the end, United felt relived to come away from the London Stadium with a point. Michael Carrick's side had won four in a row before the game at West Ham United, but it had to rely on an injury-time Benjamin Sesko equalizer to avoid defeat.

West Ham had taken the lead early in the second half via Tomas Soucek, a lead it held for over 45 minutes.

The result leaves United in fourth place, with Chelsea failing to capitalize on those dropped points.

Unlike the Red Devils, it had led for most of the night against a Leeds United team that has lost just two of its last 13.

Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer had handed Chelsea a two-goal lead before by the hour mark, but the visitors responded at Stamford Bridge via Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor. The 2-2 draw means Liam Rosenior's side remains in fifth, a point behind United.

Liverpool can close the gap to both clubs with a win on Wednesday. It trails United by six points and Chelsea by five.