The Japan Times - Liverpool frustrated by Chelsea draw, Man Utd held at Sunderland

Ryan Gravenberch's sweet strike gave Liverpool the perfect start in the sixth minute at Anfield.

Chelsea hit back when Enzo Fernandez's 35th-minute free-kick evaded everyone to find the bottom corner.

Boos at full-time reflected the mood around Anfield after another lacklustre performance from the defending champions.

The result inched fourth-placed Liverpool closer to Champions League qualification, with a four-point lead over sixth-placed Bournemouth.

"I do," said Slot on whether he thinks he can regain the fans' backing.

"Not this season by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change.

"If we can have the summer that we are planning to have, then I'm 100 percent convinced that we will be a different team next season than we are now."

Chelsea can no longer mathematically finish in the top five and remain in ninth.

The Blues had lost six consecutive Premier League games to fall out of contention for a top-five place prior to the trip to Merseyside.

But a more obdurate performance provided some encouragement for interim boss Calum McFarlane to take into next weekend's FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Manchester United are already assured of Champions League football following their win over Liverpool last weekend.

Michael Carrick's third-placed side have little left to play for in and it showed in a dour affair at the Stadium of Light.

It was the first time United had failed to score in a league game since November.

- Red card drama -

Bournemouth remain in contention for a stunning Champions League place after winning 1-0 at Fulham.

Bournemouth's Ryan Christie was sent off late in the first half after his booking for an ugly foul on Timothy Castagne was upgraded to a red card following a VAR check.

Fulham defender Joachim Andersen was also dismissed before the interval after another VAR intervention turned referee Andy Madley's initial booking for a foul on Adrien Truffert into a red card.

Brazilian teenager Rayan won the game for Bournemouth in the 53rd minute with a fine finish from just outside the penalty area.

The Cherries, unbeaten in their last 16 league matches, are aiming to qualify for Europe for the first time their history.

Brighton bolstered their bid to qualify for Europe with a 3-0 win against Wolves at the Amex Stadium.

Jack Hinshelwood nodded Brighton in front after 37 seconds and Lewis Dunk's header doubled their advantage in the fifth minute.

Yankuba Minteh's 86th-minute rocket completed the rout of already-relegated Wolves.

With two games to play, Fabian Hurzeler's side sit seventh, two points behind Bournemouth.

A sixth-place finish will bring either Champions League or Europa League qualification.

If Aston Villa finish fifth, their current position, and beat Freiburg in the Europa League final, then sixth place will secure a Champions League berth.

Manchester City host Brentford in Saturday's late game as they look to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola's second-placed side are five points behind Arsenal, who travel to third-bottom West Ham on Sunday.

City have a game in hand on Arsenal but the destiny of the title is no longer in their hands after their damaging 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday.

Arsenal, who have also reached the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, will seal their first English title for 22 years if they win their last three games.

Y.Ishikawa--JT