Liverpool will compete in the 2026/27 Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League, a position secured by their 1-1 draw against Brentford on the final day of the season on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah marked his final appearance for the club with a memorable assist for Curtis Jones’ opener in the 58th minute. That contribution helped earn the point needed to confirm fifth place and Champions League qualification, while also allowing him to surpass Steven Gerrard’s record for the most Premier League assists by a Liverpool player.
The 2025/26 campaign under Arne Slot proved hugely disappointing after the title-winning debut season the year before. The Reds ended up fifth, more than 20 points adrift of champions Arsenal, and suffered 12 league defeats.
Despite heavy summer spending of over £440 million on new signings, problems with player integration, a spate of injuries, and a perceived lack of tactical clarity or intensity led to inconsistent performances, early cup exits, and growing fan frustration that at times included calls for Slot to be replaced.
Liverpool frequently looked fatigued after the hour mark and vulnerable to counter-attacks and high presses – a sharp contrast to the high-intensity approach of the previous era. The club has indicated Slot will remain in charge for 2026/27, viewing the past season as a transitional one amid a broader squad rebuild.
The Premier League earned a fifth Champions League spot for 2026/27 through UEFA’s European Performance Spots (EPS) system. England topped the 2025/26 UEFA club coefficient rankings with a strong average (around 28+ points per club), thanks to impressive showings across the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. That placed the Premier League among the top two associations eligible for the additional automatic berth – the second year running England has benefited.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa claimed the top four positions in the Premier League table. Arsenal took the title, with Manchester City second, Manchester United third, and Aston Villa fourth. Villa also secured the Europa League trophy by beating SC Freiburg in the final. Their dual qualification (league place plus European success) created a knock-on effect that allowed fifth-placed Liverpool to take the extra English spot via the EPS mechanism.
