Liverpool can recover from their FA Cup semi-final disappointment to stay in the hunt for a Premier League top-four finish by winning away to West Brom.
The Reds will now definitely end the campaign without a trophy and that means Brendan Rodgers becomes their first manager to fail to claim silverware in his first three seasons since Phil Taylor kept missing the bullseye in the 1950s.
The latter departed in the November of the following season and his successor was Bill Shankly so, whether Liverpool keep faith with Rodgers for much longer or not, their fans will be hoping the next man at the helm enjoys some of the success achieved by that particular Anfield legend.
European football for next term is not yet assured, but Rodgers’ side are in a strong position to contest the Europa League at least because they sit fifth in the table with a game in hand, away to Hull on Tuesday, and the club that finishes seventh will qualify unless Liverpool’s Wembley conquerors Aston Villa win the FA Cup.
But they may not yet have given up hope of getting into the Champions League again, although their fate in that respect hinges on how the two Manchester clubs fare until the end of the season.
Liverpool's Alberto Moreno (right) in action against Real Madrid in the Champions League (Getty Images)
And, of course, Liverpool need to win their own games, starting with this one at The Hawthorns against a West Brom side who returned to winning ways at the home of their manager Tony Pulis’ former club Crystal Palace last weekend.
That was a much-needed victory for the Baggies because they have a nightmare run-in and still have to play Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea after Liverpool.
They will not go down, being eight points clear of the drop zone, but it’s a good job 40 won’t be needed this time because it may be difficult for West Brom to reach that total from their current 36 given such a tough remaining schedule.
Aside from a straightforward 2-0 victory over woefully out-of-form Newcastle, there has not been a great deal of joy for Liverpool fans since they lost at home to Manchester United last month.
However, they will want to end the campaign on a high note and victory in the West Midlands could be Rodgers’ first step on the road to confirming he remains the right man for the job.
Recommended bets: Liverpool to win
