Liverpool’s future in the Europa League for the upcoming campaign may be decided by Thursday night.
With three of the last five Champions League finals under their belts, Jurgen Klopp and his team are now counting on Manchester United to lose their final two games of the Premier League season in order to even have a chance of returning to the European Cup next year.
For the first time since 2016, United must win their next two games against Chelsea and Fulham at home in order to send their bitter rivals to the lower level of European football. No matter how it is framed, Liverpool would suffer a severe setback.
Given Liverpool’s recent history as well as their longer-term reputation in the league, the Champions League continues to be the most prestigious and lucrative tournament in football.
The Europa League, though, still has a lot to offer for those who see the glass half full, with a final in close-by Dublin and the opportunity to win the lone trophy that Klopp has yet to win during his tenure on Merseyside.
That may include a few players whose re-entry into the Liverpool team may depend on receiving regular playing time in the competition the following season. The ECHO here examines three players who stand to gain the most.
