LONDON: Liverpool missed the chance to all but secure Champions League action next season after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, while Manchester United were frustrated in a goalless stalemate at Sunderland on Saturday.

Ryan Gravenberch’s sweet strike gave Liverpool the perfect start in the sixth minute at Anfield. Chelsea hit back when Enzo Fernandez’s 35th-minute free-kick evaded everyone to find the bottom corner.

Boos at full-time reflected the mood around Anfield after another lacklustre performance from the defending champions.

The result inched fourth-placed Liverpool closer to Champions League qualification, with a four-point lead over sixth-placed Bournemouth.

“I do,” said Slot on whether he thinks he can regain the fans’ backing. “Not this season by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change.

“If we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I’m 100 per cent convinced that we will be a different team next season.”

Chelsea can no longer mathematically finish in the top five and remain in ninth. The Blues had lost six consecutive macthes in the league to fall out of contention for a top-five place prior to the trip to Merseyside.

But a more obdurate performance provided some encouragement for interim boss Calum McFarlane to take into next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

United are already assured of Champions League football following their win over Liverpool last weekend. Michael Carrick’s third-placed side have little left to play for in and it showed in a dour affair at the Stadium of Light.

It was the first time United had failed to score in a league game since November.

Bournemouth remain in contention for a stunning Champions League place after winning 1-0 at Fulham. Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie was sent off late in the first half after his booking for an ugly foul on Timothy Castagne was upgraded to a red card following a VAR check.

Fulham defender Joachim Andersen was also dismissed before the interval after another VAR intervention turned referee Andy Madley’s initial booking for a foul on Adrien Truffert into a red card.

Brazilian teenager Rayan won the game for Bournemouth in the 53rd minute with a fine finish from just outside the penalty area.

The Cherries, unbeaten in their last 16 league matches, are aiming to qualify for Europe for the first time their history.

Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove Albion bolstered their bid to qualify for Europe with a 3-0 win against Wolves at the Amex Stadium.

Jack Hinshelwood nodded Brighton in front after 37 seconds and Lewis Dunk’s header doubled their advantage in the fifth minute.

Yankuba Minteh’s 86th-minute rocket completed the rout of already-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers.

With two games to play, Fabian Hurzeler’s side sit seventh, two points behind Bournemouth.

A sixth-place finish will bring either Champions League or Europa League qualification.

If Aston Villa finish fifth, their current position, and beat Freiburg in the Europa League final, then sixth place will secure a Champions League berth.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026