Liverpool's final 7 games compared to Chelsea and Aston Villa as Champions League chances assessed

Liverpool needs to finish inside the top five spots in the Premier League table to earn a place in the Champions League next season, with Chelsea and Aston Villa for competition

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the touchline against Brighton(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Liverpool will return from the international break with one aim above all else: to qualify for the Champions League. As it stands, it is a point clear of Chelsea in fifth.

Arne Slot's men, like all of the contenders, have seven games left to play. And with Manchester United now six points ahead and without any other commitments than the Premier League, it seems that Michael Carrick's team should be able to get over the line.

That leaves Aston Villa — five points ahead of Liverpool but still in the Europa League — and the aforementioned Chelsea, who are sixth, two points ahead of Brentford and Everton and four above Fulham.

It seems likely that there are two Champions League places to go between three teams, with Liverpool and Chelsea arguably vying for fifth place given the points advantage that Aston Villa has.

But how might things go over the next couple of months? A look at the fixtures offers some hints as to the key matches that will decide which European competition they are playing in.

Liverpool's final seven games: Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Manchester United (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H).

Liverpool.com says: The Reds are in a run of form at the moment where you cannot predict with any certainty that they will win any of these fixtures. They are all difficult.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Fulham comes between two huge games against PSG, while a first trip to Everton's new stadium will be tough. Games with Chelsea and Aston Villa could be decisive, while Brentford may not have anything to play for on the final day; right now, it's hard to say.

Chelsea's final seven games: Manchester City (H), Manchester United (H), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A).

Liverpool.com says: Like the Reds, Chelsea are so unpredictable at the moment. They have an easy tie in the FA Cup, at home to Port Vale, but are now out of the Champions League.

Liam Rosenior has made some odd calls and some strange comments of late and Chelsea is not consistent, but it might come down to who is the least worst between it and Liverpool. Neither feels that deserving of Champions League soccer.

Aston Villa's final seven games: Nottingham Forest (H), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Manchester City (A).

Liverpool.com says: Unai Emery's men have a lead to hold onto in the Champions League race and the easiest remaining fixtures.

There are games with some teams fighting for their lives at the bottom, but Aston Villa should win most of them — ideally, from its perspective, being confirmed as being in the top five by the time it finishes with Liverpool and Manchester City.

Aston Villa is comfortably the favorite of the three teams to make the top five from here. Liverpool should be just about able to get over the line ahead of Chelsea, but it is going to be close.