Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes a run of wins between now and the end of the season would see the Reds secure an unlikely top four finish.
Owen isn't convinced his old club are capable of the consistency required, though. Monday's 6-1 win at Leeds was just their fourth win in 16 away league games, and Jurgen Klopp's side have dropped points against teams in the lower reaches of the table.
Liverpool sit eighth in the table with eight games remaining, some nine points adrift of Newcastle in fourth. None of their remaining games see them take on top-four opponents, though, giving some fans a glimmer of hope despite meetings with Spurs and Aston Villa on the horizon.
"That is a lovely run-in, isn't it?" Owen told Premier League Productions. "With all due respect, it's a lovely run-in for them, and if they did win every game then they're going to get top four, I fancy."
"But it's a big if. They're too inconsistent - they have been all season, so why, all of a sudden, are they going to go and win eight or nine games on the spin?
"So I can't see it happening. But you could say there's still a little flicker and a little chink of light at the end of the tunnel."
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Liverpool made light work of a Leeds side who had been beaten 5-1 by Crystal Palace in their previous home game. Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota both scored twice, with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez also on target.
“It was the best game we played this season from all different aspects, definitely the best game we have played, and I enjoyed it immensely,” manager Klopp said after the victory.
“And it is super important. I think the problem with this season and that season (where Liverpool went on a late run to finish third) is that we are a bit further away. But it is still massively important because we need all the performances now to create something new.
“I have no clue where it will lead to this season, but it is super important where it will lead, because it all gives information. It will go on after that, there will be a next season.
“We played a really bad season but some things are not really easy to explain, some things are not acceptable. When we put in good performances we can understand what is possible.
"That’s really, really important for me. That’s why I don’t think where we can push to or whatever. I just want us to play top football, win games and then we will see where we end up.”
