Liverpool handed Tottenham and Chelsea boost that would be bad news for Arsenal

Liverpool handed Tottenham and Chelsea boost that would be bad news for Arsenal

Liverpool look set to be handed a potential boost in the Premier League title run-in as UEFA club competitions resume this week

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image: Getty Images )

Continental football resumes this week as the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League quarter-finals all get underway. But unfortunately for Liverpool, their involvement will be limited to only a spectator capacity.

The Reds might have topped the inaugural league phase of Europe’s elite club competition, but that did not stop them suffering from a premature Champions League exit as they were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain in the round-of-16.

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But while Liverpool’s European exploits are over for another season, they will still have one eye on proceedings in each UEFA club tournament. After all, all three could have knock-on effects when it comes to the Reds’ Premier League title charge.

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Liverpool currently sit 11 points clear at the top of the table with seven games left to play, and need a maximum of 11 more points to be crowned champions. And they have been handed a helping hand courtesy of their nearest rivals still being in European contention.

Second-placed Arsenal face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals this month, hosting the La Liga giants at the Emirates on Tuesday 8 April before travelling to the Bernabeu on Wednesday 16 April.

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Prior to their quarter-final first leg meeting with the Spaniards, Mikel Arteta made five changes to his side for their trip to Everton as the likes of captain Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukaya Saka and Jurrien Timber were all limited to substitute duty.

His rotated side, named with one eye on facing Real Madrid, were held to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park as their dwindling hopes of catching Liverpool in the Premier League title-race were dealt another blow.

Next in domestic action at home to Brentford on Saturday, it would be no surprise if Arteta rotates again ahead of his side’s quarter-final second leg.

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The Reds should arguably hope the Gunners progress, ensuring their European distractions continue during the title run-in. Should Arsenal see off Real Madrid, they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

Such games are scheduled for April 29/30 and May 6/7. While their meeting with Crystal Palace has been brought forward to Wednesday 23 April, giving them a free weekend before a potential semi-final first leg, Arteta would likely rotate when the Gunners then host AFC Bournemouth on Saturday 3 May in between both European encounters.

Liverpool then host Arsenal on Sunday 11 May, with their own chances against the Gunners boosted if they have been in Champions League semi-final action just days before.

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Of course, the Reds could have already clinched the Premier League title before they host Arteta’s side. And this is where both the Europa League and Europa Conference League could come to their aid.

Tottenham Hotspur face Eintracht Frankfurt while Chelsea face Legia Warsaw this month, with the London pair both looking to progress to the final four of each European competition.

Ahead of their quarter-final first leg, Enzo Maresca made five changes for his side’s 0-0 draw at Brentford, as Cole Palmer, Nicholas Jackson, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill were all benched. Meanwhile, there was surprise that Ange Postecoglou did not rotate more (three changes) for his side’s 3-1 victory over Southampton, given that they are 14th in the table and the Europa League is realistically the only thing they have left to play for.

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Should Spurs progress in UEFA’s secondary competition, they will face Bodo/Glimt or Lazio in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, if Chelsea reach the last four of the Europa Conference League, Djurgardens IF or Rapid Wien will stand in between them and a place in the final.

It goes without saying that both clubs will have their sights on potentially winning a European trophy this season.

As a result, Liverpool could be playing both at the perfect time during their own Premier League title run-in.

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The Reds will host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday 27 April, with such a match preceding Spurs’ would-be Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday 1 May.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will then travel to Chelsea on Sunday 4 May on a day where they could clinch the Premier League title. Such a fixture would be sandwiched between the West London outfit’s potential Europa Conference League semi-final first and second legs.

Both sides would likely rotate against the Reds as a result of their European commitments, with the chance of progressing to the respective finals acting as a rather big distraction.

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Liverpool’s hopes of coming out on top against both could well be boosted as Arne Slot’s men look to take their final steps towards winning this season's Premier League title.

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