Jamie Carragher Predicts Liverpool Will Miss Out on Champions League Qualification

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes his former club are unlikely to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, following another damaging Premier League setback.

The Reds suffered a major blow to their European qualification hopes on Sunday after surrendering a late lead to rivals Manchester City. Liverpool had been firmly in control for much of the contest, but City produced a dramatic comeback in the closing stages to claim victory and keep their own title ambitions alive.

Pep Guardiola’s side not only defeated Liverpool at Anfield but also completed a league double over them. The defeat leaves the Merseyside club sixth in the Premier League table with 39 points from 25 matches.

Although Liverpool are just four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, Carragher is unconvinced that his former side have the consistency required to finish inside the Champions League qualification places. From next season, England’s top flight is expected to be allocated five Champions League spots rather than the traditional four.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher was asked whether he believes Liverpool can still claim a Champions League place. His response was emphatic.

“No. Right now, I don’t,” Carragher said. “They would have to have a huge upturn in form, and the teams above them are in great form.”

While a four-point gap is not insurmountable, Liverpool’s inconsistency has been a recurring issue throughout the campaign. Despite enjoying a brief positive run earlier in the season, Arne Slot’s side have struggled in recent weeks, winning just one of their last five league matches.

The defeat against Manchester City was particularly costly. Liverpool were in a commanding position, and a victory could have provided a much-needed turning point in their season. However, their inability to see out the game has further dented confidence.

Carragher also pointed to the strong form of Chelsea and Manchester United, suggesting both sides are unlikely to drop points regularly enough to allow Liverpool back into contention.

Reflecting further on the City loss, Carragher added: “It’s a bad one. When you look at the league for Liverpool, it looks like a long way to get into the top five Champions League positions. There’s a gap now. You can make that up, but Liverpool will have to do well in the two cup competitions to save the season.”

With Liverpool struggling to find consistency in the Premier League, Carragher believes domestic cup competitions may now represent their best opportunity to salvage the campaign. However, prioritising cup success could further weaken their challenge against Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.