After winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday, Liverpool could have given Manchester United a major boost.
Due to injuries to the first team squad, the Reds started a number of young players at Wembley and defeated Chelsea; Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal in extra time.
Ahead of his departure at the end of the season, Jurgen Klopp called it “the most special” trophy of his 20-year career.
However, there’s a way that United benefitted from their rivals’ win in the final. Journalist Simon Stone claims that Liverpool’s victory guarantees them a spot in Europe the following season in sixth place in the Premier League.
After losing to Fulham on Saturday, which was the club’s tenth defeat in the league this season, United—winners of the Carabao Cup the previous season—now hold sixth position in the Premier League.
If the Carabao Cup winners aren’t in another European tournament, they usually qualify for the Europa Conference League the following season.
BBC journalist Simon Stone wrote: “Liverpool victory means sixth spot in PL will defo get a European place.”
With a lead in the Premier League, Liverpool are poised to make a comeback to the Champions League next season.
However, it’s unclear at the moment which competition the sixth placed team will be qualifying for next season.
Sixth place will currently be eligible to compete in the Europa Conference League, but things might change.
United would be hoping to avoid such a scenario by finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League next season. Currently, the Red Devils are eight points behind fourth placed Aston Villa.
