The last thing Liverpool want is to start next season on the back foot
It's been a season of disappointment at Anfield, as the hope derived from last season's unlikely title charge gave way to the harsh realities of failure to qualify for a second consecutive Champions League, but Liverpool must find a way to finish on a high after Saturday's defeat at Crystal Palace made this weekend's final Premier League game at Stoke one they cannot afford to lose.
Currently in fifth place, Liverpool are all but certain of a place in next season's Europa League, but the stage at which they enter the competition is yet to be decided.
The result at the Britannia Stadium, in a game that will have the added theatre of being Steven Gerrard's last last match for the club, is crucial to ensure Brendan Rodgers' side get the clean run at the upcoming preseason that they need in order to make a better start to the new campaign.
The Liverpool Echo have done a great job outlining the permutations, but, in short, Liverpool are only guaranteed entry into the Europa League at the Group Stage, which begins on September 17, if they hold on to fifth place.
Any slip-up this weekend would open the door for Tottenham or Southampton, one and two points behind the Reds respectively, to overtake the Merseysiders and open the door to a much earlier entry into competitive action in the qualifying rounds, either on July 30 or even as early as July 2, which is just 37 days after the Premier League wraps up this Sunday.
The potential disruption to preseason preparations and the inevitable onset of fatigue later in the campaign could be catastrophic to their hopes of improving upon this season.
In addition, there would be commercial consequences to earlier entry to the Europa League - each Premier League position is worth £1.2million in prize money while moving straight to the Group Stage last season guaranteed clubs another £1million plus another million-plus in prize money depending on group results, figures set to rise next season.
There is also the matter of revenues generated on preseason tours. Liverpool are currently scheduled to play two games in Australia on July 17 and 20 that are expected to generated around £10million, and a further game in Kuala Lumpur on July 24, dates that would be impossible to fulfil if the Reds were required to be in Europa League qualifying action.
So, just the matter of around £20million, a chaotic preseason and another chance to give Stevie G a winning send-off on the line this Sunday, then.
No pressure Brendan.
