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Football

16th May 2017

Liverpool and Arsenal could end up playing a playoff for fourth place

Champions League at stake

Conan Doherty

This is very bloody doable.

There’s one game left of the Premier League season but there could just as easily be two games left for Liverpool and Arsenal if the last day results pan out.

Wins for Wenger and Pep Guardiola on Tuesday night have left the Gunners one point outside the top four and a sweat is on now for Liverpool.

With a one-point and two-goal advantage over the chasing Londoners, it’s do or die for both outfits but Liverpool could well lose their grip of Champions League qualification if a number of things don’t pan out.

  • If Arsenal win and Liverpool don’t win, Arsenal are through.
  • If Arsenal draw and Liverpool lose by three goals (two goals if Arsenal score), Arsenal are through.

But there’s also a way that the pair could have to play a 39th game.

Final day fixtures

Liverpool v Middlesbrough
Arsenal v Everton
Watford v Man City

If Liverpool lose to Middlesbrough – and let’s face it, it’s at home so it’s the perfect game for them to cock up – and if Arsenal draw, this eventuality is well on the cards.

In that case, the teams will be tied on points, goal difference and goals for. If it plays out like that on May 21, we’re going to have a playoff for a Champions League place.