Five reasons why Liverpool should look forward to playing Europa League football next season

Six-time European champions Liverpool won't have the opportunity to make it seven next season after missing out on a place in the Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp's side are now guaranteed to finish fifth in the Premier League after bitter rivals Manchester United secured the last available spot in the top four with a 4-1 win over Chelsea on Thursday night.

It means Liverpool will be absent from the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign, Klopp's first full season at Anfield.

It is undoubtedly a major blow for the Reds after the success of last season and is likely to have an impact on the club's summer transfer plans.

But as is the case in all aspects of life, it's important to find positives in even the most difficult situations. So, here are five reasons why Liverpool should look forward to playing in the Europa League next season.

European football at Anfield

For much of this season, it looked as though Liverpool might miss out on European football entirely after their miserable first half of the campaign.

While the Europa League is certainly not where the club wants to be, it's better than having no European football at all – particularly when it comes to the club's finances. European nights at Anfield are always special occasions and there is the added bonus of a guaranteed spot in the Champions League, should they win the competition.

Yes, it's not the Champions League, but at least it isn't the Conference League. And who wants to come up against Real Madrid again next season?

Klopp to complete trophy set?

Since arriving at Anfield in 2015, Jurgen Klopp has won every major competition he has competed in with Liverpool – except one, the Europa League.

Liverpool reached the final in Klopp's debut season but were beaten 3-1 by Sevilla, with Daniel Sturridge's spectacular opening goal counting for little. Liverpool will be strong favourites to win the competition next season and Klopp will be confident of completing his trophy set.

Focus on the Premier League

Klopp is known for having prioritised the Premier League and Champions League over the domestic cup competitions since arriving at Anfield, consistently playing second-string sides throughout the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

He is likely to adopt the same approach in the earlier rounds of the Europa League, allowing Liverpool to direct their focus on the Premier League campaign, regaining their spot in the top four and potentially even challenging for the title - should they make the necessary signings this summer.

Rotation can keep squad happy

As previously mentioned, Klopp will likely look to rotate his squad to cope with the challenge of playing regularly on Thursday nights – allowing fringe players to receive more game time than they might previously have received.

Liverpool have five world-class attackers - Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota - to fit into their side and will need to rotate regularly to keep them all happy.

The prospect of game time in the Europa League could convince the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher and Fabio Carvalho to remain with the club, while it may also allow academy prospects such as Conor Bradley, Ben Doak and Tyler Morton a chance to impress.

Europa League final in Dublin

Many Liverpool fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of heading to the Europa League final at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on May 22 next year.

It is just a short hop across the Irish sea to the capital of the Republic of Ireland, a country where Liverpool receive huge support.

A beautiful venue for the final to take place (just don't mention the price of a pint or a hotel). And there's just the small matter of getting there first.