Gary Neville believes Newcastle United could have presented Liverpool with a chance to finish in the top four.
The Reds’ hopes of securing a top four finish suffered another blow on Sunday when they drew 2-2 with Arsenal at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side came from 2-0 down to claim a point thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
The result leaves Liverpool 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. And Neville believes had Newcastle dropped points over the past week then they could have presented Klopp’s side with a chance of finishing inside the top four, but the former Manchester United defender has now claimed Eddie Howe’s men will be playing Champions League football next season.
READ MORE: I have changed my mind about Trent Alexander-Arnold's next step at Liverpool
READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold already knows his best position despite Liverpool tactical change
Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville said: “What a week for Newcastle. To beat Manchester United, West Ham away and then Brentford away that’s a tough week and to get nine points – that’s a brilliant performance.
“I didn’t have them down as top-four probably three weeks ago and even after the [Manchester] United game, I thought “well they’ve got three tough away games now in West Ham, Brentford and AstonVilla.
“You’ll probably drop points in that and it will give Tottenham and Liverpool maybe a chance.
"But looking at them now, watching them closely against Manchester United where I thought they were absolutely brilliant, I think they will finish in the top-four now because their confidence will be so high.
“I thought Man United were really poor against Newcastle. But what we’ve seen with this side under Erik ten Hag is that they do respond and they do bounce back.
“They were dominant against Everton but beating Brentford was really important. Six points from that week doesn’t look so bad now.
“They do respond and come back which will mean they do finish in those Champions League places. With Tottenham, they were pretty fortunate against Brighton. But it gives them a chance, they’re still in it.”
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool scouts 'in attendance' to watch exciting Championship midfielder
- Rio Ferdinand responds to Jamie Carragher after Virgil van Dijk comments
- Every word Roy Keane said about Liverpool as he shut down great team suggestion
- I have changed my mind about Trent Alexander-Arnold's next step at Liverpool
- Jurgen Klopp is set for a huge boost from four Liverpool players in 2023/24
