Liverpool's remaining fixtures compared to rivals for top five as Bournemouth misses chance

Liverpool is edging closer to Champions League qualification, but there is still work to do, with plenty of sides looking to pounce on any slip-up as Bournemouth misses a huge chance

Arne Slot and Liverpool could be challenged by Bournemouth for fifth place(Image: Getty Images)

Champions League qualification is getting closer and closer for Liverpool - although there is still plenty of work to do before fans can start planning trips to some of Europe’s elite.

The Reds head into their final five games of the season knowing that the job is almost done. They need a maximum of nine points to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League, which will be enough for a spot at Europe’s top table again.

It’s been a good few days for Arne Slot’s men. A dramatic victory over Everton on Sunday sent them seven points clear of their nearest rival for the Champions League places, and a fifth straight defeat for Chelsea at Brighton has increased their chances of qualifying, with Liam Rosenior paying the price as the Blues look to have dropped out of contention.

Instead of Chelsea, the Reds may now be looking at other teams as their biggest threat, although Bournemouth missed the chance to really put some pressure on after being held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds on Wednesday.

Here’s how the remaining games look for Liverpool and the sides below looking to steal away a spot in the top five…

Liverpool (5th - 55pts)

• Crystal Palace (H) - April 25
• Manchester United (A) - May 3
• Chelsea (H) - May 9
• Aston Villa (A) - May 17
• Brentford (H) - May 24

The job does look like it's almost done for Liverpool, although with that set of fixtures, nothing can be ruled out just yet.

A victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday will be imperative before what is a very, very tricky May. Chances are the Reds won't need nine points, but they'd certainly prefer to go into games against United, Chelsea, and Villa with that number reduced.

Brighton (6th - 50pts)

• Newcastle (A) - May 2
• Wolves (H) - May 9
• Leeds (A) - May 17
• Manchester United (H) - May 24

The Seagulls are flying at the moment, and that win over Chelsea on Tuesday is evidence that they're not to be discounted in this race.

Having played a game more than Liverpool, though, the odds aren't really in their favor, especially if Liverpool wins this weekend. Their next three games certainly look winnable, but they're relying on a few slip-ups from the Reds.

Brighton's win over Chelsea on Tuesday puts it within five points of Liverpool

Bournemouth (7th - 49pts)

• Crystal Palace (H) - May 3
• Fulham (A) - May 9
• Man City (H) - May 17
• Nottingham Forest (A) - May 24

That late, late equalizer for Leeds will be a real blow for Bournemouth, who missed the chance to go within four points of Liverpool with a victory.

Andoni Iraola's side is one no one wants to face, and thankfully for the Reds, they won't have to in their final few games. With just four games left now, time is running out if the Cherries are to catch Liverpool.

Chelsea (8th - 48pts)

• Nottingham Forest (H) - May 4
• Liverpool (A) - May 9
• Tottenham (H) - May 17
• Sunderland (A) - May 24

Chelsea looks to be sliding further and further out of the running for the top five. In fact, you'd have to wonder if it'll get any sort of place in Europe next season.

Rosenior is gone now, so there are no more excuses for the Blues' players. A lot of them already look like they've checked out, though.

Brentford (9th - 48pts)

• Manchester United (A) - April 27
• West Ham (H) - May 2
• Man City (A) - May 9
• Crystal Palace (H) - May 17
• Liverpool (A) - May 24

Keith Andrews has done a remarkable job in his first season in charge of Brentford. Many people had the Bees down for relegation after losing Thomas Frank and some of their biggest players last summer, but they've defied expectations.

Although they now sit eight, they actually have the highest potential points tally of the sides sitting outside the top five, but a Champions League place might be a little too much for them to achieve. Trips to Old Trafford, the Etihad, and Anfield are about as hard as they come, so it would be no surprise to see their charge for the top five end soon.

Everton (10th - 47pts)

• West Ham (A) - April 25
• Man City (H) - May 4
• Crystal Palace (A) - May 10
• Sunderland (H) - May 17
• Tottenham (A) - May 24

Everton's hopes of pipping its neighbor to the Champions League places took a huge dent on Sunday, but even in defeat in the Merseyside derby, David Moyes' team did show they are a force to be reckoned with.

An eight-point gap is a big mountain to climb, though, and you'd imagine the Toffees will realistically just be eying up a Europa League place at best now.