Liverpool's next 5 games compared to Chelsea and Man Utd after FA Cup exit

Liverpool was beaten 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and Arne Slot's players now face a crucial period in their bid for Champions League qualification

Liverpool lost again on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester City's 4-0 triumph over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinal delivered a significant setback for Arne Slot.

Erling Haaland's hat-trick and Antoine Semenyo's chipped goal denied the Reds a place at Wembley. A forgettable day for Liverpool was epitomized by Mohamed Salah squandering a second-half penalty, having already missed two other clear-cut chances.

The Reds have little time to regroup as the first leg of their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain looms. Beyond the European contest, Liverpool is also embroiled in a tight battle for the top four positions alongside Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Brentford and Everton. Here are Liverpool's next five games compared to some of its fellow Champions League contenders...

Liverpool

• Paris Saint-Germain (A) — Champions League, April 8
• Fulham (H) — Premier League, April 11
• Paris Saint-Germain (H) — Champions League, April 14
• Everton (A) — Premier League, April 19
• Crystal Palace (H) — Premier League, April 25

Liverpool.com says: These next five fixtures could prove decisive for Slot. The Reds have already watched one chance at silverware slip away and must overcome PSG across two legs simply to reach the Champions League semifinals.

Arne Slot's players are struggling(Image: Getty Images)

Yet Fulham remains a tricky proposition for Liverpool, having drawn twice and beaten the Reds in their last three Premier League meetings at Craven Cottage. There is also the small matter of the first-ever Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton certain to be looking to derail Liverpool's top-four ambitions.

The fixtures are undoubtedly becoming more challenging for the Reds, who cannot afford any further lackluster displays.

Manchester United

• Leeds United (H) — Premier League, April 13
• Chelsea (A) — Premier League, April 18
• Brentford (H) — Premier League, April 27
• Liverpool (H) — Premier League, May 3
• Sunderland (A) — Premier League, May 9

Liverpool.com says: United currently sits third in the Premier League and — given its recent form and its singular focus on the top four race — is best placed to secure Champions League soccer. Nevertheless, Michael Carrick's players also face a treacherous run-in.

The Red Devils will be strong favorites to overcome Leeds at Old Trafford, though Chelsea has proven unpredictable under Liam Rosenior and could spring a surprise. Brentford is also an outside contender for the top four, having comfortably dispatched United earlier in the campaign.

The showdown between United and Liverpool at Old Trafford could prove decisive for both sides, while a trip to Sunderland represents a stern test for any Premier League outfit.

Aston Villa

• Bologna (A) — Europa League, April 9
• Nottingham Forest (A) — Premier League, April 12
• Bologna (H) — Europa League, April 16
• Sunderland (H) — Premier League, April 19
• Fulham (A) — Premier League, April 25

Liverpool.com says: Aston Villa's players will be practically living out of their suitcases over the coming weeks. Their 2026 form has dipped, but they'll draw encouragement from their clinical 2-0 win over West Ham.

It's worth noting that Unai Emery has a particular affinity for the Europa League and, given he's yet to win silverware at Villa Park, he might even prioritize the competition. That said, Villa goes into matches against Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, and Fulham as the favorite, so it would be foolish to write it off in those encounters.

Chelsea

• Manchester City (H) — Premier League, April 12
• Manchester United (H) — Premier League, April 18
• Brighton and Hove Albion (A) — Premier League, April 26
• Nottingham Forest (H) — Premier League, May 4
• Liverpool (A) — Premier League, May 9

Liverpool.com says: It feels like the pressure is mounting once more at Chelsea. Rosenior finds himself under immense scrutiny, having suffered four consecutive defeats — as if that weren't challenging enough, his international break was dominated by the controversies surrounding Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez's interviews.

However, should Rosenior succeed in rallying his players and fostering a siege mentality, securing results against City and United may not be out of the question. The away trip to Brighton looks to be a grueling fixture, and having fallen to the Seagulls in their last three encounters, it would come as no surprise if Fabian Hurzeler's players are installed as favorites.

The home clash with Nottingham Forest will be viewed as particularly crucial, especially with the looming visit to Anfield. Should Chelsea emerge from that run with little to show for it, the Blues could find themselves out of the top-four conversation.