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Topics: Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Premier League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Premier League
Gary Neville has backed Liverpool to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season - and he has also rated Manchester United and Newcastle's chances.
Neville's verdict may come as somewhat of a surprise, given the difficult season that the Reds have had to date.
Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea did little to improve the prospects of Jurgen Klopp's side qualifying for next season's Champions League. The Reds had seven shots at goal in a game that did not see quality in abundance from either side.
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Liverpool are now seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with the gap to the top four growing to eight points if United get a result against Brentford at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
Klopp's side have won just four of their 11 games in 2023 prior to the Chelsea draw - and before the game, Neville still backed Liverpool's chances of bouncing back and eventually qualifying for the 2023/24 Champions League by season's end.
Speaking on The Overlap Live Tour, Neville stated his belief that Liverpool will finish inside the top four this season.
The United legend backed his former club to also finish inside the top four ahead of the Reds, behind Arsenal and then Manchester City.
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There was no place for either Tottenham or Newcastle - who, at the time of writing, occupy two of the top four spots - but both sides will hope to be challenging come May.
Neville said: "Unfortunately, I think it'll be Liverpool [who finish fourth]. I think it'll be United, it'll be Arsenal, then it'll be City."
His fellow Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, however, was less positive about the Reds' chances of finishing in the top four after the goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
The Reds legend said (quotes via Liverpool Echo): "I just feel that Liverpool needed to win their last two games to give themselves a glimmer of hope.
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"There's no doubt that, given Liverpool's last seven or eight fixtures, or certainly the last five on paper, you felt that if Liverpool were anywhere near getting close, they should win those games.
"I just think the other teams are playing too well. You can make a case about winning or losing games, it's when you look at the performances.
"Tottenham obviously dropped points [at Everton], they weren't great. But you watch Newcastle's performance against Manchester United, and United as well, more often than not, get the job done. I just don't believe Liverpool are playing well enough to get the points they need."