How damaging could Newcastle's late equaliser be for Liverpool's hopes?
"If you deserve, you deserve it. I didn't see us today playing like we deserve Champions League next year."
Will Liverpool, runaway Premier League champions last year and Champions League winners in 2019, really miss out on a place in the competition altogether next season?
Joe Willock's 95th-minute equaliser for Newcastle at Anfield in a 1-1 draw made it four dropped points in a week for Jurgen Klopp's side, with the manager questioning whether they merit another seat at the top table.
The Reds lie sixth, a point behind both Chelsea and West Ham, who meet at London Stadium later on Saturday.
"We have another five games and we will see. We learn or we don't play Champions League, that's it," said Klopp.
You're supposed to be at home…
Liverpool have a worse record in the Premier League than Brighton since the turn of the year. (Correct before the West Ham v Chelsea match.)
Liverpool's 30-year wait for a title came to an end this time last year, Klopp's side crushing all-comers at Anfield as they won 18 of 19 home games – the sole blemish a draw with Burnley.
They finished 18 points ahead of Manchester City last season but have taken 30 points fewer than Pep Guardiola's side in this calendar year alone.
Matching their 2019-20 form was an unlikely task but Liverpool's drop-off has been alarming, especially at home.
Only Fulham (four) have won fewer Premier League home points in 2021 than Liverpool's five.
"In these games [against lower sides] we have had chances like madness and we didn't use them. Who is to blame for that apart from us? Nobody," said Klopp after the Newcastle draw.
"In the moment, frustration is obviously at 150% and I will find a way back on track but for the moment it's so harsh. It's tough to take but we have to take it."
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Liverpool are not alone in struggling at home – the absence of fans perhaps playing a part – with Leicester, Arsenal and Tottenham all dropping more points than might be expected.
But the Reds have lost six times at Anfield in the league this season, as many as Brighton, Burnley and Newcastle, and they have collected an even split of 27 points in home and away games this year.
Willock's goal should have come as no surprise, given Liverpool have kept just three home clean sheets in the Premier League this season, conceding at least once in each of their past eight games at Anfield in the competition.
Do they deserve it? Days spent in the top four in 2020-21 | |
---|---|
Team | Days |
Leicester City | 218 |
Liverpool | 135 |
Manchester United | 127 |
Manchester City | 102 |
Chelsea | 73 |
Everton | 63 |
Up to but not including West Ham v Chelsea |
'This club is a Champions League team'
Left-back Andrew Robertson was in no mood to dismiss his side's chances of qualifying – but admitted that even winning every remaining game might not be enough.
Liverpool are at Old Trafford next to take on old rivals Manchester United in the most high-profile of their remaining fixtures.
"This club is a Champions League team," he said.
"We got to the quarters-finals this year – and we are still disappointed with that – and two finals in the space of four years and won the Premier League comfortably last year, so to not have Champions League football next year would deflate the whole club, of course it would.
Do they deserve it? Days spent in the top four in 2021 | |
---|---|
Team | Days |
Leicester City | 114 |
Manchester United | 114 |
Manchester City | 102 |
Chelsea | 43 |
Liverpool | 43 |
West Ham | 27 |
Up to but not including West Ham v Chelsea |
"This club is based on fighting to the end and that's what we need to do. Even if we win the next five games it might still not be enough but we need to put that pressure on the teams.
"There have just been too many games this season where we've dropped too many points.
"Against the bottom six, if you've only picked five points up at home then unfortunately you are going to fall short of your target."
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Comment posted by Billy Onions and his Rag-Time Band, at 17:32 24 AprBilly Onions and his Rag-Time Band
17:32 24 AprYou EARN your CL place.
Liverpool have been mediocre, at best, this season.
They deserve nothing…40834
Comment posted by IDrinkYourMilkshake, at 17:29 24 AprIDrinkYourMilkshake
17:29 24 AprWhoever finishes top 4 deserves it. I’d love to see West Ham and Leicester make it.30820
Comment posted by Roger That, at 17:23 24 AprRoger That
17:23 24 AprIf they finish 4th , yes
If not, no
You get what you earn, unless youโre Perez that is 😂2485
Comment posted by Marcusgbg, at 17:39 24 AprMarcusgbg
17:39 24 AprIt is not something you deserve. Based on recent form, they will not be top 4, and that’s that.
If Leicester and the Hammers end up top 4, I think many a neutral would see that as refreshing.2187
Comment posted by ade65, at 17:32 24 Aprade65
17:32 24 AprPointless article really – as others have already said, if they get in, they deserve a place, if they don’t, they don’t. Of course, you really should have to be a champion of a league to get in the CL, but that’s another issue consigned to history by greedly clubs and tv money.1838
Comment posted by leythertillidie, at 17:32 24 Aprleythertillidie
17:32 24 AprThankyou newcastle. Liverpool back on their mistake perch. Europe nights in Kazakhstan imminent hahahahaha10529
Comment posted by maythe4thbewithyou, at 17:26 24 Aprmaythe4thbewithyou
17:26 24 AprNo chance,woeful performance week after week,don’t deserve it 100%806
Comment posted by skank of the south, at 17:41 24 Aprskank of the south
17:41 24 AprIt maybe a dumb question at the moment but come 2024/25 they’ll be in the Champions league because of their co-efficient rating even if they get relegated – joke.769
Comment posted by LFC_Dog, at 17:25 24 AprLFC_Dog
17:25 24 AprIf they finish top four yes. If not, then no.729
Comment posted by Splodge, at 17:48 24 AprSplodge
17:48 24 AprNo! And I’m a Liverpool fan!653
Comment posted by SeeOnlyShed, at 18:07 24 AprSeeOnlyShed
18:07 24 AprLook at the table
Where are they?
This season’s CL
Where are they?
This seasons EFL & FA Cup
You get the idea!
They have got, and will proceed to get , what they “deserve” on and off the pitch just like every other club.
The BBC have excelled themselves with this one……..!7110
Comment posted by shazza, at 17:35 24 Aprshazza
17:35 24 AprBBC always pushing there own agenda,the media darlings hahahaha6414
Comment posted by Cynical Sid, at 17:34 24 AprCynical Sid
17:34 24 AprAnother day of missed chances for Liverpool, but if you donโt take them you get the result you have earned. Flawed defence too.
On current form they are not top four.491
Comment posted by Rich, at 17:33 24 AprRich
17:33 24 AprNo one “deserves” any place until they’ve earned it, get it in to your thick skulls.525
Comment posted by Raedwulf, at 20:09 24 AprRaedwulf
20:09 24 AprDo Liverpool deserve CL place next year?
Current position: 6th.
Answer: No.
End of season? We’ll see. What an utterly stupid & pointless article!440
Comment posted by DavidHankey, at 17:29 24 AprDavidHankey
17:29 24 AprHow can folk reckon L’pool “deserve” a top 4 spot!! They are mediocre at best and will finish nearer to mid-table, accept it!!5514
Comment posted by UptheSaints, at 17:39 24 AprUptheSaints
17:39 24 AprWhat is the point in debating this? If they they donโt get the results…they donโt qualify! And if they donโt qualify – they certainly didnโt deserve a place. Geeeez rocket science it ainโt! I think Saints and the other 14 clubs that didnโt try to jump ship should go into a hat! 🤣🤣😉468
Comment posted by keith, at 18:07 24 Aprkeith
18:07 24 AprI get so much JOY out of seeing Liverpool drop points5025
Comment posted by Scott, at 18:12 24 AprScott
18:12 24 AprNo one deserves it. You either get the results that put you there or you don’t. That’s football, that’s sport, that’s why fans can dream, it’s why we each grow up with hope in our club. It’s what Florentino and John don’t understand.241
Comment posted by Martarslipstick, at 17:36 24 AprMartarslipstick
17:36 24 AprLet’s hope there is a winner in the West Ham v Chelsea game- a draw would suit Liverpool.255