A draw between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield left both sides assessing where they stand in the Champions League race. Ryan Gravenberch’s sixth-minute stunner put Liverpool ahead early, but Chelsea responded through Enzo Fernández’s drifting free kick that evaded everybody and beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool were missing key personnel: Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké were unavailable. In their absence Rio Ngumoha emerged as the clear creative focal point. He had 19 touches in the first half, completed three of four dribbles and repeatedly troubled Malo Gusto. Ngumoha’s decision to come inside and his weighted pass into space allowed Gravenberch to curl the early strike into the top corner. His withdrawal in the 66th minute prompted boos from the crowd, reflecting confusion at the substitution.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s thunderous free-kick struck the wall before play worked out to Ngumoha, whose pass created Gravenberch’s opportunity. Despite the positive moments, Liverpool were warned by the result. The draw is not a disaster, but the Reds could drop to fifth and be only three points clear of sixth if Aston Villa and Bournemouth secure positive results.

For Chelsea a draw was a useful outcome after six successive Premier League defeats prior to the trip to Merseyside. Enzo Fernández, whose recent absence included an internal two-game suspension, has returned in strong form. Operating higher and linking with Cole Palmer, Fernández exploited spaces left by Ibrahima Konaté and Curtis Jones’s lack of communication and helped shift momentum during periods of the first half.

Marc Cucurella, deployed on the left wing by stand-in manager Calum McFarlane, provided energy and combinations with Fernández and João Pedro. He was almost decisive early in the second half but a VAR offside call ruled out the move when Moisés Caicedo played him through.

Jeremie Frimpong continues to struggle for rhythm after injuries, attempting just two dribbles and completing none, with one cross, one defensive contribution and one tackle recorded by FotMob. Cody Gakpo offered little up front, with 77 minutes, 12 touches and eight passes and no shot on Filip Jörgensen’s goal. Levi Colwill, making his first Premier League start of the season after a torn ACL, enjoyed an easier afternoon than many expected.

Ryan Gravenberch confronted the crowd reaction after Liverpool were held to a 1–1 draw with Chelsea, questioning the boos that greeted the full-time whistle at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk both hit the woodwork as Liverpool pushed for a winner, while Florian Wirtz missed the game through illness.

At full-time a chorus of boos rang around the ground. Speaking to TNT Sports, Gravenberch said: “To be honest, we need them (the fans) behind us,” and added: “OK we didn’t win, but I don’t really think we deserved this [reaction]. The fans have to be behind us for the full 90 minutes because when they were behind us in the second half, we were pressing really well. We need them. Hopefully they wouldn’t do it again in the next two games.”

The midfielder conceded the squad were frustrated by the result, noting that “of course” Liverpool were disappointed and that it “hasn’t been a great season” as Champions League soccer for 2026–27 remains unconfirmed.

Arne Slot faced renewed scrutiny over team management and selection after removing Rio Ngumoha with just over 20 minutes remaining, a decision that drew audible reaction from the stands. Slot told reporters that Ngumoha had asked to be substituted because of cramp: “I had contact with him and he said that it was enough, so that’s why I took him off.” He defended the tactical call: “He’s a good player but I don’t think he’s at the level yet to play at 60 or 50 per cent to then make the difference.”

Slot acknowledged that “maybe the fans have a different opinion” and said he “knew the moment his number went up that that would have been the reaction.” He remained steadfast that he can win back sceptical supporters, saying: “Yes, I do [believe he can turn things around and win back the trust of supporters]. Not this season, by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change.

“But 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 than we are now. Different in terms of results, different in how things look, but it’s not always that simple because sometimes you know what you have to do, but it’s not always possible to also get exactly what you want. For us, for me, it’s really clear what we are lacking this season and we’re trying with the players we have now because one of the things we are lacking is players that are fit.”

Slot pointed to the club’s injury problems. The £125 million British transfer record signing Alexander Isak has been largely unavailable, Jeremie Frimpong has been in and out with niggles and struggled against Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitiké’s season ended with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

With the Premier League reaching its final two matchweeks, four clubs remain firmly involved in the fight for Champions League qualification. Liverpool sit fourth on 59 points, Aston Villa are a point behind on 58 with a game in hand, while Bournemouth (55) and Brighton & Hove Albion (53) are not out of the equation and have two games remaining.

Liverpool are in the strongest position. A victory in either of their remaining matches would secure a top-five finish. The Reds must overcome Aston Villa at Villa Park in one of those fixtures and would then close the campaign at home to Brentford if qualification is not sealed in the Midlands. A draw at Villa Park could be sufficient depending on results elsewhere.

Aston Villa remain central to how the race unfolds. Villa travel to Burnley this Sunday and then host Liverpool, before ending their season at Manchester City. Their European destiny could be affected by the Europa League final. “Should Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League final against Freiburg and then finish fifth, it means the team that comes sixth in the Premier League will also qualify for Europe’s premier competition next term.” That scenario would extend qualification to an additional league position.

Bournemouth occupy sixth and have kept their hopes alive after a recent win over Fulham. The Cherries need at least one victory from their final two games to give themselves a realistic chance of moving into the top five; back-to-back wins would greatly improve their prospects. Bournemouth head into a high-profile home game against Manchester City on May 19, followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest on May 24, which will be Andoni Iraola’s final match in charge of Forest.

Brighton remain in contention on 53 points with two matches to play. All four clubs face awkward, high-stakes fixtures and the outcome will depend on form across the remaining dates. The final stretch promises close margins, where a single result will likely decide who progresses to Europe’s elite competition next season.