In order for Liverpool to get back into the UEFA Champions League next year, they have to get into the BPL Top Four. They had a chance to continue in UEFA today, but that was lost when we lost the tie-breaker to Zenit after being tied in aggregate score. Winning UEFA this year is no longer an option.

But, we are also 9 points out of that coveted Fourth Position in the BPL with only 11 games to go. And, with 3 teams between The Reds and that Fourth Position, the road will not be smooth. The road is there, though.

Looking at our own schedule, we actually have it pretty easy. We only have 3 teams in the League’s Top Half (Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton), but all are at Anfield. And, the next best team on our schedule (#11 West Ham) is also at Anfield. We have all 6 of the current worst teams in the League and, even if only the match against QPR from that group is at home, all are winnable. Fulham may be our biggest challenge.

Everton, however, has a bit tougher schedule and they rest only 3 points ahead of us. They have to play 6 matches against Top Half teams (Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Stoke) and only Man City and Stoke are at home. They may not get a point from that set of matches and we should pass them up, easily. They also continue in the FA Cup so their attention will be a bit divided and those extra matches could come into play.

Tottenham has just as daunting a schedule as Everton. The Hot Spurs have 7 games against Top Half teams, but 3 of those (Man City, Arsenal & Everton) are at home. They travel to face Chelsea, Swansea, Stoke and The Reds. Tottenham is the key. With their being 9 points ahead of us, we have to practically run the table on our remaining games and see the Spurs struggle – a lot.

Chelsea has, maybe, the hardest schedule. But, they are 10 points up on us so won’t be as easy a target. They also have 7 matches against Top Half teams, but 4 of those (Tottenham, Everton, Swansea and West Brom) are at home. I don’t see them winning at either Manchester pitch and hope Liverpool can take care of our business when they drop into Anfield. They also continue in the FA Cup so their attention will be a bit divided and those extra matches could come into play for them as well.

Arsenal would be our other target. But, their schedule is similar to ours. They have the 5 worst teams along with Norwich. Most of those are at home. They do have 5 Top Half teams with which to contend and only 2 of those (ManU and Everton) are at home. It would be tough for them to beat ManU, but Everton is struggling and is probably 3 points for Arsenal. They are still alive in the UEFA League so games on either side of those ties may cause the Gunners some grief. And, with their only being 5 points up on Liverpool, that could be enough to get us by.

If we have a HUGE run of luck and, if playing loose and easy for the remainder of the season gives us wings and, with Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho opening defenses for Luis Suarez… we could, conceivably, sail all the way into that Third (automatic) Place Finish in the BPL. More realistically, I don’t see us getting by Chelsea, but passing the other three teams is a possibility. A good possibility.

Here we go!

YNWA