Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has backed Liverpool to bounce back from their slump and finish in the top-four, before challenging at the top next season.
What’s going on at Liverpool?
Liverpool have collapsed this season, as they find themselves in seventh place and on the verge of being knocked out of every cup competition, having competed for the quadruple less than a year ago.
After winning every trophy on offer under Jurgen Klopp, they now find themselves in a crisis, as uncertainty behind the scenes regarding the ownership and hierarchy, as well as an ageing squad disappointing on the pitch, has led to a miserable season for the club.
Will Liverpool get top four this season?
Yes
No
They look likely to miss out on Champions League football for next season, and this could seriously harm their transfer plans, but Redknapp has surprisingly claimed on Sky Sports that they will rediscover their best form and be ready to compete at the top again next season.
“If you want to improve and start challenging again, and as low as it’s been for Liverpool at times you’re never that far away. You’re only one or two players away. Look at what Manchester United have done all of a sudden with Ten Hag, he’s brought in a couple of and all of a sudden there’s a bit of belief again and now they’re flying high.
“I still believe with Liverpool, with a couple of players coming in, Fabinho is 29 still but for some reason he looks like he’s gone over the edge. Maybe they need to find a young defensive midfield player, someone to fill that void.
“I still feel Liverpool, I think they’re still getting the top four. And I also believe that next year they’ll be challenging again.”
Can Liverpool finish in the top four?
Redknapp’s statement came after Liverpool dropped yet more points as they drew with Crystal Palace, and they now find themselves nine points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place.
They do have two games in hand over Spurs, but with just two wins in their last five league games, it would take a major turnaround in form and confidence to attempt to finish in the top four this season.
A 5-2 home defeat to Real Madrid dented Liverpool’s confidence even further, and with an ageing, injury-prone midfield, and an out-of-form defence, they look too far behind their competitors such as Spurs and Newcastle for the final Champions League spot.
Failing to qualify for the Champions League could hinder their chances of signing top target Jude Bellingham, but if Liverpool do make some smart signings this summer and rebuild their squad, they could be back in a position to return to the top end of the table next season.
