John Barnes has backed his former club Liverpool to finish fourth in the Premier League ahead of the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham and Everton.
The current champions have been unable to retain their crown after an inconsistent season which has been marred by injuries to key defenders including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
League leaders Manchester City look set to win the competition as they find themselves 14 points clear of second-placed Manchester United heading into the closing stages of the campaign.
Leicester City sit in third place on 56 points, while West Ham currently occupy fourth on 52 points, with Chelsea a singular point behind the Hammers in fifth.
Liverpool, who currently occupy seventh place, recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend to put them level on 49 points with sixth-placed Tottenham.
In terms of how the final table will look, Reds legend Barnes thinks the top three places will remain the same and expects Jurgen Klopp’s side to come through a tough battle to land fourth spot.
‘I think that Liverpool will finish fourth,’ Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
‘First and second place between Manchester City and Manchester United is decided.
‘Leicester have a cushion but could easily lose a couple of matches even though they are playing consistently well.
‘So fourth place is up for grabs and I think it is between Chelsea and Liverpool.
‘Tottenham, Everton and West Ham are also there but I think Liverpool will finish fourth.
‘Once Van DIjk comes back Liverpool will be competing for titles again, if he, Gomez and Matip had all been fit then Liverpool would be competing with Manchester City this season. That for me is the sole reason for me why they are not there.
‘Next season, if these players come back and Liverpool add one or two signings then they will challenge again and much closer to the top than they have been this season.’
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