(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Fri 20 March 2026 9:24, UK

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Liverpool and Chelsea will be delighted to see that an additional Champions League spot appears to be a formality for the Premier League for next season.

The English top flight is currently top of the coefficient when it comes to European football’s highest-ranking leagues, and that is set to play perfectly into the hands of both the Merseysiders and the West Londoners.

They are both desperately trying to chase down Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively, as they look to force their way into the all-important top four at the end of the season.

Champions League qualification had seemed like an uphill battle for 2026-27 in recent weeks, but the Premier League sides are now within touching distance of opening the door for another place.

Liverpool’s win over Galatasaray on Wednesday night saw them progress into the quarter finals of this year’s competition, and their involvement for next term is now in their own hands, even if they don’t go on to lift the trophy this time around.

Premier League clubs one draw away from extra place

The Premier League clubs endured a difficult few days across the first legs of the last 16 ties, but Arsenal and Liverpool both recovered to progress to the quarter-finals.

Tottenham even recorded a surprise win over Atletico Madrid on home turf, which could prove to be extremely valuable for the league, regardless of the fact that they didn’t progress.

The English sides are locked in a battle with Spanish and German clubs to secure an extra place for next year’s Champions League, and they are firmly in the driving seat as we head into the quarter-finals.

According to European football experts Football Rankings via their X account, Arsenal and Liverpool will need just one draw between them from their four games in the quarter-finals to ensure that the league gets its additional place.

That will be music to the ears of Arne Slot and Liam Rosenior, who will currently be pushing their sides as much as possible to try and chase down the top four.

Liverpool currently occupy fifth spot in the table, with Chelsea just one point back, while even Brentford will now feel that they are in with a shout.

Arsenal face Sporting CP in the next phase of the competition, and that surely gives them a strong chance of being able to secure the one result that is needed.

Liverpool could get £120m boost from UEFA coefficient

Liverpool could stand to lose £120million by not qualifying for the Champions League next season, which highlights just how valuable participation alone can be for top-level clubs.

The Anfield outfit have a long and storied history on the continent, having won either the European Cup or Champions League title on six separate occasions.

Their league form has left them in a position where their hopes of featuring in next year’s edition currently hang in the balance, but a fifth spot would certainly provide their hopes with a huge shot in the arm.

Slot’s men will be looking to rebuild after an unexpectedly poor campaign this time around, and the boost of around £120m that would come with qualification could be invaluable when it comes to strengthening the squad.