Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists his team are still in with a shout of finishing fourth after the Reds (14/1 for a top four finish) 4-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday.
The Merseyside outfit are now two points behind fourth placed Tottenham with two games to go, although Spurs have a game in hand over Benitez’s men.
Just two points separate Liverpool in seventh and Tottenham (10/11 top four finish) in fourth after last weekend’s results which saw Spurs lose at Manchester United, Aston Villa (15/2) beat Birmingham and Manchester City (11/8) secure a point at Arsenal.
City and Spurs look to have the advantage in the race for fourth with a game in hand over their rivals, although that match is between the two sides at Eastlands on May 5.
With the gap between the four sides paper thin who get the last Champions League spot could well come down to goal difference, an aspect the Reds have a slight edge in following their four goal thumping of Burnley.
Liverpool took full advantage of a Clarets side out of sorts and condemned the Lancashire outfit to relegation after just one season in the Premier League.
Following Sunday’s win Benitez, who guaranteed a top four finish for Liverpool earlier in the season, was once again talking up his sides chances of playing Champions League football again next season.
“We know they (Tottenham and Manchester City) still have one game in hand but we are close and we will try our best,” said the Spaniard.
“If we finish on 68 points we will have a chance because we will have better goal difference.”
Liverpool face Chelsea (1/2 to win the Premier League) next Sunday in a game that could have massive implications for both sides as the Blues continue to battle it out with Manchester United for the title.
Chelsea opened up a one point gap over United on Sunday with a stunning 7-0 victory over Stoke meaning should they beat Liverpool next week and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lose to Sunderland they will be crowned champions.
However, before welcoming the Londoners to Anfield the Reds face Athletico Madrid (10/11 to qualify for the final) in the return leg of their Europa League semi-final.
The Spaniards, who beat Tenerife 3-1 at the weekend, have a slender one goal advantage heading into the game and will have been lifted by the news that Dirk Kuyt might not be fit to play against them on Thursday night.
The Holland international was forced off during the game against Burnley with a calf injury and is now doubtful for Thursday night.
Liverpool are already without Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriguez, Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel and Benitez will be hopeful Kuyt doesn’t join the growing injury list at Anfield.
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