Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he does not expect Manchester United to slip up in their pursuit of a top four finish this season.
United, who were thrashed 7-0 by the Merseysiders back in March, missed out on the opportunity to tighten their grip on a top four berth after losing 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Thursday night. Argentine international Alexis Mac Allister converted a 99th-minute penalty to seal all three points for the home side, leaving United just four points ahead of Liverpool ahead of this weekend's matches.
Liverpool reduced the gap on Erik ten Hag's side and the top four with a 1-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday evening and could shrink the gap to just a point if they beat Brentford at Anfield on Saturday, just over 24 hours ahead of United travelling to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Sunday.
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Although three points for Liverpool against the Bees would ramp up the pressure on the Reds, Klopp does not believe United will falter enough for his side to sneak into the Champions League places. Following the conclusion of the clash with Brentford, Liverpool will have just three games left, compared to the five United will still have to play.
"Other teams are in much better positions," admitted Klopp. "As long as they win games, we have no chance and we have to keep teams behind us, which (for) not all of them we can do that.
"We have 59 (points), United has 63 so we can get 71 maximum. United needs for that eight points in five, (eight points) from 15. I think they will do that.
"They win three games of the rest and that is it for us."
After facing the Hammers on Sunday, United will have the luxury of three home games in their last four matches, starting against Wolves on Saturday, May 13. Chelsea and Fulham also still have to visit Old Trafford before the end of the campaign.
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