What Liverpool need to secure Champions League spot today and avoid unprecedented play-off
Liverpool are hoping to secure Champions League football for another season
The final day of the Premier League season is upon us, and while the title is done and dusted, there's still a fair amount to play for at both ends of the table.
Both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are bidding to avoid relegation to the Championship, while the picture for Champions League qualification is also about to become much clearer.
Liverpool are bidding to return to Europe's premier competition, but could still lose out on a place, with Bournemouth still within touching distance heading into the last round of fixtures.
Depending on results, there could be as many as six teams in next term's Champions League.
Here's what Arne Slot's men need to ensure they are once again competing among Europe's elite once more.
The current picture
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League table on 59 points and have a goal difference of +10.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, occupy sixth, three points behind and with a goal difference of +4.
The Reds host Brentford at Anfield, with the Bees hunting down an historic Europa League qualification of their own.
The Cherries head to Nottingham Forest.
What happens if Liverpool win?
If Liverpool win, they guarantee themselves a place in the top five, which will be needed to qualify.
Should Aston Villa also be defeated by Manchester City on the final day, they would even leapfrog the Villans into fourth, which would then mean the team finish sixth would gain a place.
What if Liverpool draw?
A draw would be enough for the Reds, but would see them finish fifth, meaning the sixth-placed side would miss out.
What happens if Liverpool lose?
Defeat for Liverpool would put them at risk of missing out, although clearly there would need to be a big goal swing for the Cherries to overtake them.
Should Liverpool lose by three goals for example, Bournemouth would still have to win by four to overtake them.
The unprecedented play-off scenario
This is hugely unlikely, but it's mathematically possible that Liverpool and Bournemouth may need a 39th game to decide a Champions League spot.
Should Liverpool lose to Brentford 1-0, and Bournemouth steamroller Nottingham Forest 5-0, it would leave both sides with the same amount of points, the same goal difference, and the same number of goals scored and conceded.
That would subsequently mean a play-off would be required to separate them.