LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 18, 2015: The Liverpool FC badge during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 1st leg match against Besiktas JK at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) (General Pic)

Liverpool avoid Europa League qualifiers thanks to Arsenal’s FA Cup win

Liverpool have avoided the headache of Europa League qualifiers thanks to Arsenal‘s 4-0 FA Cup final success over Aston Villa on Saturday.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 18, 2015: The Liverpool FC badge during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 1st leg match against Besiktas JK at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) (General Pic)

Had Villa won, the Reds would have faced qualifiers starting in July, with two rounds of qualifiers before reaching the group stage proper.

Instead, Brendan Rodgers’ side will enter the competition at the group stages, which begin in late September.

Liverpool and Tottenham will enter the Europa in the group stages, while Southampton‘s season will begin with the qualifiers – the first one being in late July.

It would have been a major issue for Liverpool had they been forced to play Europa qualifiers, with the first taking place days after a friendly in Kuala Lumpur. It would also have meant the home leg would have affected the Main Stand construction schedule.