Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has changed his prediction for the Premier League top-four battle and now believes that the Reds will finish third, above Manchester United. While Manchester City and Arsenal have stormed well clear at the top of the table, Newcastle United currently sit third, two points above Manchester United and three ahead of Liverpool. Tottenham, Brighton and Aston Villa can all technically still qualify for the Champions League, although it would be a huge surprise if any were able to make up the ground during the final few weeks of the season.
Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations appeared dead and buried earlier in the season as Jurgen Klopp’s side slipped into the mid-table pack, but the Reds have won six games in a row to put pressure on their top-four rivals. With three more games to play against Leicester, Aston Villa and Southampton, Johnson believes Liverpool may time their run perfectly and sneak into the Champions League spots. He said: ‘I do now. I’ve previously said that Liverpool would have to go on a six to eight-game unbeaten run to have any chance and they’ve done that. Liverpool have certainly got the momentum and Manchester United are inconsistent at present, so I believe Liverpool are the favourites out of them, Manchester United and Newcastle United to finish in the top four. Out of Manchester United and Newcastle United, I think that Liverpool are going to most likely finish in the top four at the expense of Newcastle. I believe that Liverpool will finish third this season as they’re the most consistent team out of the three competing at present and it will not be a fluke if they finish there.’
Despite Manchester United’s wobble, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag remains confident his side can secure a return to the Champions League. He said: ‘It’s not about Liverpool, it’s about us and because of the table, we have everything in our hands. If we bring our performance and our standards we’ll win games. We don’t have to look to others, we have to look at ourselves and find a way to win and get back to our levels.’ With Manchester City and Arsenal already securing their spots in next season’s Champions League, the race for the remaining two spots is heating up. Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has changed his prediction for the Premier League top-four battle and now believes that the Reds will finish third, above Manchester United. Newcastle United currently sit third, two points above Manchester United and three ahead of Liverpool with Tottenham, Brighton and Aston Villa all still in contention.
Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations appeared dead and buried earlier in the season as Jurgen Klopp’s side slipped into the mid-table pack, but the Reds have won six games in a row to put pressure on their top-four rivals. Johnson believes Liverpool may time their run perfectly and sneak into the Champions League spots, saying: ‘I do now. I’ve previously said that Liverpool would have to go on a six to eight-game unbeaten run to have any chance and they’ve done that. Liverpool have certainly got the momentum and Manchester United are inconsistent at present, so I believe Liverpool are the favourites out of them, Manchester United and Newcastle United to finish in the top four. Out of Manchester United and Newcastle United, I think that Liverpool are going to most likely finish in the top four at the expense of Newcastle. I believe that Liverpool will finish third this season as they’re the most consistent team out of the three competing at present and it will not be a fluke if they finish there.’
Despite Manchester United’s wobble, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag remains confident his side can secure a return to the Champions League. With three games left for each team to play, it remains to be seen who will secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.