Over half of the qualification spots might have been wrapped up in the UEFA Europa League by the end of play on Thursday night but matchday six is going to be a nervy one for the English sides.
Newcastle United won’t have to worry as they have progressed from Group D, but draws for both Tottenham and Liverpool mean they will have work to do in the final set of matches.
Reds throw it away again
With most of the Premier League sides facing three games in the space of 10 days, changes were made by Brendan Rodgers at Anfield for the match with Young Boys.
The Group A encounter was an exciting affair but one that the Reds should have won.
They lead twice and were in control for large periods but the Swiss side stole an equaliser two minutes from time to leave with a 2-2 draw.
Rodgers left Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling on the bench and played Jonjo Shelvey in an emergency striking role.
Shelvey performed commendably well in the unfamiliar position and scored his fourth goal of the campaign 10 minutes before half-time.
The youngster turned in Joe Cole’s cross from close range. After Young Boys equalised, some nice interchange play between Shelvey and Gerrard, who had come off the bench led to Cole scoring his first goal at Anfield since April 2011.
Cole looked full of energy and gave his best performance of what has been a frustrating career on Merseyside.
He reminded not just Rodgers but the Liverpool fans of what he is capable of and that is crucial ahead of a very congested fixture period.
Unfortunately for the home supporters, the side got sloppy in the last 10 minutes and were punished by a cracking strike from Elsad Zverotic in the 88th minute.
Rodgers said afterwards: “It is a little frustrating. It is disappointing that with three minutes to go we didn’t control the game better.
“It would have been a good win for us against a good team but we still control our destiny. It just makes it a bit harder than we would have liked.”
If Liverpool go to Udinese and win on 6 December, they will go through into the last 32. A draw might be enough if Young Boys don’t better their result but defeat will end the Reds hopes of qualification.
Nervy Newcastle progress
Liverpool have work to do but Alan Pardew and Newcastle can relax just about after ensuring their participation in this competition going into the New Year.
They got the point required to progress from Group D but the 1-1 home draw with Maritimo underlined their recent domestic struggles.
The Magpies are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League and lacked the conviction that they have shown throughout the majority of this European campaign at St. James’ Park.
Sylvain Marveaux opened the scoring midway through the first half. It was the Frenchman’s first goal of his career on Tyneside.
However the Portuguese side continued to chase the cause and got their rewards 11 minutes from time.
Fidelis struck an equaliser underneath Tim Krul’s legs. The Dutchman will be disappointed to concede this goal, as it also went in at his near post.
Injury concerns are starting to trouble Pardew as he admitted after the game.
Hatem Ben Arfa limped off with a hamstring injury and Papiss Cisse also had to withdraw early in the second half through injury.
Pardew said: “We are getting blow after blow at the moment.
“We will have to wait and see about Papiss but Hatem will be missing on Sunday (against Southampton). I don’t know how long he will be out.”
The Toon Army head to the south coast at the weekend with 10 players out injured and Fabricio Coloccini suspended.
Pardew worked some miracles last season but even he will struggle with the amount of absentees he has, including Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez and Shola Ameobi.
Lloris the hero for Tottenham
The build-up to Tottenham’s Group J’s encounter with Lazio was unfortunately dominated by unsavoury incidents involving supporters.
Lazio ‘fans’ stormed a bar in the early hours of Thursday morning and attacked Spurs supporters who were drinking peacefully in Rome.
The bar was smashed and 10 Tottenham fans were injured with stab wounds. One is still in a serious condition in hospital.
It was also good to see a healthy Paul Gascoigne looking in decent condition as he visited the Stadio Olimpico and got a fantastic reception from the supporters who were interested in seeing some football, not creating carnage away from the stands.
Gascoigne represented both clubs in his career with dignity and passion and the final outcome will have left him happy, as he must have split loyalties.
The game itself was not great. The away side had an early goal chalked off and television replays later indicated that Gareth Bale was onside.
Lazio took charge in the second half but some great saves from Hugo Lloris (pictured) meant the visitors held firm.
Lloris has now started the last two matches and might have just managed to usurp Brad Friedel from his position as number one in the Tottenham goal.
Andre Villas-Boas seemed satisfied with the draw, saying after the match in the press conference: “Against Lazio we’ve had four goals disallowed.
“It’s difficult to see decisions not go our way but we move on. We take the result. We are in a comfortable position to qualify.”
A point at home to Panathinaikos will ensure Tottenham progress but they will likely take the runners-up spot behind the Italians.
The fate of both Liverpool and Tottenham is still in their own hands and after another frustrating week for English clubs in Europe, the Premier League will want both sides to step up to the challenge on matchday six and join Newcastle in the last 32.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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