Supercomputer predicts Liverpool’s Champions League fate after Man United slip up

Supercomputer predicts Liverpool’s Champions League fate after Man United slip up

Liverpool are seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League standings

FiveThirtyEight predicts that Liverpool’s five-year streak of qualifying for the Champions League will end next month.
FiveThirtyEight predicts that Liverpool’s five-year streak of qualifying for the Champions League will end next month.

Liverpool has been predicted by a supercomputer to finish this season outside of the Champions League spots.

The Reds have not failed to finish in the top four since 2016, but their underwhelming season by their lofty standards has placed them in last place.

Liverpool FC (Getty images)

Though talk of a potential late-season push has been sparked by a run of three straight victories, Liverpool is still seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United despite having played one more game.

But while third-placed Newcastle United are showing no signs of slowing down – they beat the Reds’ relegation-threatened neighbours Everton 4-1 on Thursday at Goodison Park – Man United are begin to show signs of stuttering.

And football analytical site FiveThirtyEight give the Reds just a 14 percent chance of competing in UEFA’s elite competition next year. By contrast, Man United (86 percent) and the Magpies (94 percent) are tipped as shoo-ins to secure a top-four finish.

Brighton have been one of the surprise packages of the season and, given their games in hand, are viewed by many as potential outsiders for the Champions League. However, the website – which uses statistical information and detailed data analysis to predict top-flight outcomes – only ranks their chances at 5 percent.

Missing out of the top four would deal a hammer blow to Liverpool’s transfer plans, with Jurgen Klopp possibly unable to entice players with the allure of Champions League football. On a positive note, FiveThirtyEight expect the Reds to leapfrog Tottenham and Aston Villa to claim fifth spot – a feat that would ensure Europa League football.

As far as the title race is concerned, Manchester City (90 percent) are now overwhelming favourites after brushing aside Arsenal on Wednesday 4-1 at the Etihad. Southampton (97 percent), Everton (75 percent) and Nottingham Forest (56 percent) are backed for relegation.

FiveThirtyEight predicted top 10: 1 Man City (89 points), 2 Arsenal (84), 3 Newcastle (73), 4 Man United (72), 5 Liverpool (65), 6 Brighton (62), 7 Tottenham (60), 8 Aston Villa (60), 9 Brentford (53), 10 Fulham (51).