The season was notably difficult, as the majority of games were played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] and all three of the club's senior central defenders sustained long-term injuries.[2] The team's early form was creditable and, on 22 November 2020, they broke the club record for longest unbeaten run at home in the league (which had previously stood at 63) with a 3–0 win over Leicester City.[3] However, the run ended on 21 January 2021 following a 1–0 defeat to Burnley; it had stood at 68, the second-longest unbeaten home run in English top-flight history, behind Chelsea's run of 86 games between March 2004 and October 2008, and the longest under a single manager.[4] A tough period followed as Liverpool suffered a run of six consecutive defeats at Anfield.[5] This ended any chance the team had of retaining the Premier League title as by early March, Liverpool sat 8th in the table with 43 points. The team, however, was fortunately able to reverse their fortunes, winning eight of their final ten league games, which included goalkeeper Alisson scoring a stoppage-time winner against West Bromwich Albion (the first goal ever scored by a Liverpool goalkeeper in the 129-year history of the club),[6] meaning they finished third with 69 points, qualifying for the next season's UEFA Champions League.[7]
On 19 August 2020, Liverpool announced that they would play two friendlies as part of their pre-season training camp in Austria.[41] On 2 September 2020, they announced that they would complete their pre-season campaign with a home game against Blackpool.[42]
Source: Premier League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied – 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs[43] (C) Champions Notes:
^Since the winners of the 2020–21 FA Cup, Leicester City, also qualified for the Europa League based on league position, the second Europa League group stage berth allocated to England was transferred to the sixth-placed team.
Liverpool entered the competition in the third round. The draw was confirmed on 30 November 2020 live on BT Sport.[46] The draw for the fourth and fifth round were made on 11 January 2021, conducted by former Liverpool player Peter Crouch.[47]
Liverpool entered the competition in the third round. The draw was confirmed on 6 September 2020 live on Sky Sports.[48] The fourth round draw was conducted on 17 September 2020, also live on Sky Sports.[49]
