Liverpool play the reserves to help out Chelsea – Champions League spots so tight now | OneFootball

After Eddie Howe’s side got a late point at Brighton, the very minimum they deserved, I then sat down to watch Liverpool beat Chelsea.

Looking at the TV I saw the away side were wearing Liverpool shirts but where were Konate, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Diaz?

I was absolutely gutted, couldn’t believe it. Arne Slot making multiple changes.

Effectively a reserve side in the main, as six of the ten outfield players were changed.

As you can see below, the likes of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Diaz, who have all been key to their title win, all missing.

The Liverpool team v Tottenham that won 5-1 to seal the title – Sunday 27 April:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

The much changed Liverpool team v Chelsea that gifted three points – Sunday 4 May:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Salah, Gakpo, Jota

An absolute joke.

Sure enough, it only took Chelsea three minutes to cut through this reserve side, Fernandez with the goal.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the makeshift Liverpool side helped out the home side with their other two goals.

A comedy own goal on 56 minutes when Van Dijk blasted the ball off Quansah and it rebounded into the net, whilst Quansah then gifted the third when conceding a penalty, Cole Palmer scoring that deep in added time.

The only positive was that Van Dijk heading in a corner on 85 minutes that gave false hope in this match.

However, as you can see, that goal actually quite significant…

As you can see, that Van Dijk goal means that ahead of next Sunday’s absolutely huge game at St James’ Park, Newcastle United stay in fourth.

They are level on points with Chelsea, level on goal difference, but ahead on goals scored (66 v 62).

The race for the Champions League places is now incredibly tight only four points separate the five teams, third to seventh.

Whilst if Forest win their game in hand at Palace on Monday night, there would be just one point separating four of the five clubs, with Villa adrift by three and four points respectively.

Goal difference is looking ever more likely to play a part in the final count three weeks today.

Another positive is that even if Forest win tomorrow night, they will stay behind Newcastle United on goal difference unless winning by ten…

Five big matches played in May already concerning the five Champions League contenders who are playing for three places, only 14 games left to play and Palace v Forest tomorrow is up next.

Thursday 1 May

Forest 0 Brentford 2

Friday 2 May

Man City 1 Wolves 0

Saturday 3 May

Villa 1 Fulham 0

Sunday 4 May

Brighton 1 Newcastle 1

Chelsea 3 Liverpool 1

Monday 5 May

Palace v Forest (8pm)

Saturday 10 May

Southampton v Man City (3pm)

Bournemouth v Villa (5.30pm)

Sunday 11 May

Newcastle v Chelsea (12pm)

Forest v Leicester (2.15pm)

Friday 16 May

Chelsea v Man U (8pm)

Sunday 18 May

Villa v Spurs (2.15pm)

West Ham v Forest (2.15pm)

Arsenal v Newcastle (4.30pm)

Man City v Bournemouth (7pm)

Sunday 25 May