"I would be surprised..." - Former Liverpool striker Owen makes bold Premier League top four prediction

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has made a bold prediction in the race for the top four in the Premier League this season.

Owen came through the Reds' academy and was once one of the brightest young prospects in world football winning the Ballon d'Or in 2001 whilst still playing at Anfield.

After a big move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2004 didn't go as planned, he returned to England a year later to play for Newcastle before eventually joining Liverpool's arch-rivals Manchester United.

He lifted the Premier League in 2011 whilst at Old Trafford to the disdain of many Liverpool fans.

Now retired, Owen regularly appears as a pundit and recently spoke out on the chances his boyhood club have of finishing in the top four this season.

What did he say?

Owen thinks that Liverpool's inconsistency this term will ultimately cost them a place in the Champions League next season.

Speaking to Premier League Productions after Tottenham's game against Nottingham Forest, as reported by Football365, he said: "I would be surprised if Tottenham didn’t clinch that fourth space because Liverpool are inconsistent.

"Newcastle are rocky, even though they have played some tough games.

"Spurs are up and down, a little bit inconsistent, a bit like Liverpool actually. But it’s a good performance, even though Nottingham Forest made it easy for them."

Liverpool fans are most likely to disagree with Owen but if they are to secure a top-four finish they can't afford to drop many more points.

A recent 7-0 thrashing of Owen's other former club United who are in third was followed up by a shock 1-0 loss to relegation threatened Bournemouth.

It's that 'inconsistency' which Jurgen Klopp needs to sort out otherwise it will end up costing them. The Reds' next Premier League is a tough trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on title challengers Manchester City.