Liverpool's seven-match winning streak in the Premier League finally ended on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
The disappointing result at Anfield has left four of Liverpool's biggest hopes suspended, with only one unlikely path to qualifying now open to the Merseyside club.
For a few weeks, Newcastle United and Manchester United will nervously stare at their shoulders against a resurgent Liverpool transformed by a crucial tactical shift.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold currently excelling as a left-back, the Red Devils soon secured a place in the Champions League - which seemed out of reach mid-season.
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But on Monday night, Newcastle marked their return to Europe's top tier with a goalless draw against Leicester. The Magpies showed signs they could collapse after losing to Arsenal and being held to a draw by Leeds earlier this month.
But the crucial 4-1 win over Brighton stabilized the ship before Monday's result confirmed their place in next season's Champions League, with Eddie Howe's side now four points ahead of Liverpool and just one game away. play in the respective season.
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Liverpool's final road to Champions League football
However, there is still hope for Liverpool as the road to the Champions League is still open.
Jurgen Klopp's side need Manchester United in fourth to lose to Chelsea at home on Thursday to stay in the race for the top four until the final day of the season.
If that happens, Liverpool could be ahead of United if they beat Southampton away, and Erik ten Hag's side lose to Fulham at home - with a goal difference well above the Anfield team. Advertisement
However, Klopp seems to have accepted that his side will play in the Europa League next season for the first time since 2015-16 - his season at the club.
Speaking after the Villa draw, Klopp said:
"We're going to make it [Europa League] our league. I'm not that spoiled.
"The fact that we've qualified for the Europa League is unbelievable for all the teams around us. It was really difficult and we did it, which is good. "It's been a long time since we haven't heard the sound of the Champions League, that's how far we've come. The European league suits us very well.
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