It’s unlikely this will happen, but the Premier League are taking no chances.
West Ham and Liverpool may face each other in a play-off to determine who qualifies for the Europa League.
Liverpool currently sit in eight in the Premier League, with West Ham two places above them in sixth.
Jurgen Klopp’s men could qualify for next season’s Champions League if they beat Sevilla in the Europa League Final later this month, but if they lose the match and end up needing to qualify for Europe via the league, there is a scenario where they could finish the season level on points, goal difference and goals scored with West Ham.
For example, a 1-0 defeat for West Ham at Stoke, coupled with a 2-1 victory for Liverpool at West Brom would see the two clubs with exactly the same record after 38 league matches.
The Premier League have now confirmed that a play-off game would take place if the unlikely scenario came about.
Premier League rules state: ‘If at the end of the season either the league champions or the clubs to be relegated or the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, venue and timing of which shall be determined by the board.’
A date and stadium for such a fixture is unknown. Just don’t bank on the season being done after this weekend, West Ham fans.
