Liverpool knows final hurdle in Champions League race as Jürgen Klopp must deploy fix in time

Liverpool look much better for Champions League qualification than they did a few weeks ago, but Jürgen Klopp knows he still has one more thing to contend with.

The stunning 7-0 win over Manchester United has given Liverpool fans hope that Jürgen Klopp’s side can qualify for next season’s Champions League. In what looked like an unlikely turn of events earlier in the month, the Reds are now just three points adrift of number four Tottenham Hotspur with one game to play.

There is no doubt that the signs of a resurgence for Liverpool are very clear, with Klopp’s side winning four of their previous five Premier League games and recording five clean sheets on rebounds. Despite Sunday’s historic win, the Liverpool players will be keenly aware that they need to give their all to ensure this weekend’s trip to Bournemouth goes the same way as their other outings this season. Defeats to Brentford, Brighton and Wolves are all fresh in the mind. In fact, Liverpool have won just once away from home in 2023, with their only win coming this year against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

This is also not a short term blip. The Reds have been less than convincing on the road all season and would be in 11th place on away form alone, with a meager 12 points so far after three wins, three draws and six defeats.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are third in the home table and have so far taken 30 points at Anfield this season. Indeed, in terms of points per game comparing home and away form, Liverpool have enjoyed the biggest swing in the Premier League so far this season, averaging 1.31 points more per game at home.

Compared to last season, Liverpool finished second behind eventual champions Manchester City in terms of points collected away from home, with 43 in total. Given that Liverpool are currently third in the home table on 30 points – just two fewer than current Premier League leaders Arsenal – it’s clear that poor away form has been a major factor in the Reds’ struggles this season.

Digging deeper, the inability to score goals away from home this season has really derailed Liverpool on points. To date they have scored just 13 goals, fewer than Leicester and Fulham and equal to Brentford and Leeds, which will be a major concern for an ambitious team to reach the Champions League. Even in Liverpool’s recent improvement in form in their last five Premier League games, a goalless draw at Crystal Palace is a frustrating example of how few goals the Reds have against home opponents. Having failed to score in 42 per cent of their away games so far this season, Liverpool clearly need to improve quickly in this regard.

Somehow observers might be surprised to learn that despite the stunning victory over Manchester United, many Liverpool fans are still worried ahead of the trip to the south coast to face Bournemouth this weekend. All signs point to Klopp’s side being on the mend, but stopping their poor away form is essential if they hope to qualify for the Champions League this season.