Liverpool have ALREADY confirmed qualification for next season’s Champions League

Liverpool have incredibly already sealed their qualification for next season’s Champions League – before the knockout stage for this year’s competition has even kicked off.

Jurgen Klopp’s men earned yet another shot at European glory after Chelsea failed to beat Manchester United on Monday evening, meaning that Liverpool have guaranteed a top-four finish.

The runaway Premier League table toppers have surged 36 points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with just 12 games of the campaign remaining.

Liverpool’s defence of their Champions League crown will continue on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone’s side hosting the first leg of the tie.

But even if his side were to suffer from a shock early knockout, boss Klopp will be able to rest easy in the knowledge that his side have already confirmed they will have another crack at the competition next year.

A rampant campaign for the Reds could, at worse, culminate in an all but impossible fourth place finish – although Liverpool are certain to coast to their first league title since 1990 in the next few weeks.

The Anfield outfit are even the first team in Europe to secure their spot in the elite competition. 

Liverpool are guaranteed a top-four finish after Chelsea’s defeat against Manchester United

The club have reached the last two Champions League finals and next face Atletico Madrid

And with the club’s sights set firmly on reaching a third consecutive Champions League final, Liverpool could, in theory, also seal the Premier League title against Bournemouth on March 7. 

This would require the leaders to win all their matches in that time, with both Manchester City and Leicester dropping points – although Liverpool require just five more victories to be crowned champions regardless.

And ahead of Atletico’s clash with a record-breaking Liverpool side, Diego Simeone is under no illusion that his opponents will be remembered as one of the sport’s greatest ever teams.  

Diego Simeone is under no illusions that Liverpool are one of the sport’s greatest ever teams

Simeone said: ‘We are facing a magnificent team, really well-trained by a coach who is different and has different alternatives in his team.

‘We have always spoken about great teams throughout time and I have no doubt this Liverpool are going to go down in history as a great team because it is different to teams that we have admired (in the past).

‘This team is much more intense, more adaptable, and it makes me admire it as a rival.’