Former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Liverpool will feel the effects of Sadio Mane's departure and finish behind Manchester City and Chelsea in the Premier League this season.
The shot-stopper had previously billed the Reds to finish fourth last season before Jurgen Klopp's side went on to compete on all fronts before settling for a domestic cup double.
This summer has seen Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay walk through the door at the AXA Training Ground. Meanwhile, Sadio Mane, Neco Williams and Takumi Minamino are among the departures at Anfield - as well as a host of loan exits.
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Nunez, who bagged an impressive quadruple against RB Leipzig, had previously come under fire for his displays during his first hour of football for the Reds. But for Foster, he doesn't believe Klopp's side will be able to compete with Chelsea or City.
"I just thought the season before they'd give their all and I thought they'd die off last season - they didn't die off last season they were up there all the way, live and kicking till the very last game of the season," the former Manchester United goalkeeper said on his Cycling GK YouTube channel.
"I think it's understandable I put them fourth last season, this season I'm going to go for third. I think there's going to be two better teams than Liverpool this year. I think losing Sadio Mane, I think they're in a little bit of a transition period, I can't see them trying to be up there and about winning the Premier League - I just can't. I still think they'll do decent, third position."
Foster predicted that Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham would make up the top four next season. Arsenal and Manchester United are predicted to finish fifth and sixth, respectively, meanwhile the shot-stopper pitted Everton in 14th.
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