Liverpool could have to reach the Champions League with an end of season play-off.
Wins for both Arsenal and Manchester City on Tuesday cranked the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead of their Premier League finale against Middlesbrough.
The Reds currently sit in fourth in the table, two points behind City and one point clear of the Gunners but face a potentially nervy curtain call at Anfield.
Should Liverpool lose 2-0 to a condemned Boro on Sunday and see local rivals Everton manage to hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw, both sides would finish joint-fourth.
That outcome would see the Anfield club tied with the Londoners on 73 points, with 75 goals scored each and a goal difference of +33 from the season.
City could also be tied with Liverpool in the event that they are held to an unlikely 3-3 draw at Watford while their counterparts beat the Teessiders 3-0.
If either scenario comes to fruition, it would add an additional competitive fixture to Klopp’s side, already set to finish this term with 46 games in all competitions.
Although Liverpool have enjoyed an upper hand from head-to-head encounters with both clubs this term, that would not be factored into any scenarios.
The Premier League would be forced to stage an unprecedented play-off game at a neutral venue to determine which club enters Europe’s elite club competition.