While few Premier League clubs’ fans are best buddies, it’s fair to say that there’s no love lost between Newcastle United and Liverpool supporters. There’s been plenty of activity between the Magpies and the Reds over the past year or so, with obviously the Andy Carroll exit to Anfield the most high profile. Jose Enrique followed him six months later and if Newcastle aren’t careful Fabricio Coloccini could be doing the same this summer. However, on Sunday Newcastle fans might just be secretly cheering Liverpool on.
If you’re wondering why, it’s all to do with European qualification. At the start of the season if you’d have thought we’d be discussing that topic come February in regards to the Magpies then few people would have believed you. But with Newcastle currently in 6th position in the Premier League table and just one point and an inferior goal difference between Arsenal in 4th and Chelsea in 5th, then European football is a distinct possibility for Newcastle next season.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-video’ align=’right’]
This Sunday is the Carling Cup final and that’s where Liverpool come into the equation. The Reds are playing Championship side Cardiff City in the final at Wembley and Kenny Dalglish’s men are odds on favourites to lift the trophy. If Liverpool do win then they’ll also secure their place in the Europa League for next season, which could be important come the end of the current campaign if the Reds finish above Newcastle in the league.
As you will know, the top four places in the league are reserved for Champions League qualification, while only the 5th placed team is entered into the Europa League. However, if Liverpool were to finish in the top 4 after winning the Carling Cup, then their Europa League qualification place would be handed to the team in 6th place in the League. If two of Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool compete in the FA Cup final as well, then 7th place will give you European qualification, too.
It may seem like a lot of ifs and buts, but the bottom line is that if Liverpool win the Carling Cup on Sunday then Newcastle have a slightly better chance of getting into Europe. However, none of this will matter of course when Newcastle finish above Liverpool, sneak into the top four and join Manchester United, City and Spurs in the Champions League next season! Given Arsenal and Chelsea’s form, it could well be Newcastle and Liverpool battling it out for 4th spot come May.
***
Is Ashleigh Ignelzi Newcastle United’s hottest fan? Click on the image below to decide for yourself
There’s also the fact that theres a clause in Carroll’s contract or an agreement by NUC n LFC where if he wins honours NUFC get more money, not mega bucks but a few hundred thousand all adds up. There maybe a clause in Enriques aswell but not too sure about that.
Every little helps!
You’ve probably just jinxed your Newcastle team by saying they’ll finish top 4 We’ll see over the coming weeks
… pretty sure it was a tongue in cheek comment Patrick.
i wont be cheering on Liverpool solo because of Kenny he is a creature of a man… lowest life form on earth condoning racism and trying to defend Suarez actions over the recent saga was just the icing on the cake for me after him DESTROY the team of entertainers he inherited from the true King… I would like to see Andy do well not some much Jose he left to play in Europe i hope karma can be just…
With any luck we can claim a top 5 spot and a place in europes elite
He is a very hard man to like given recent actions, that’s for sure