Former Liverpool and England midfielder John Barnes has backed the Reds to claim fourth place in the Premier League.
Liverpool have suffered dips in form and injuries to key players including captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres this season and currently sit sixth in the table behind Tottenham and Manchester City.
As a result of their league standing and their early exit from the Champions League, there has been growing uncertainty over the long-term future of manager Rafa Benitez and his position could be in danger if fourth place is not achieved.
But Barnes, who played 407 times for the Anfield side and gained 79 caps for England, says the Reds have enough quality in the squad to finish fourth.
"That is why Liverpool have finished in the top four," Barnes told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Not just because of the expectation but because of the quality they have.
"They do have that quality and they haven't lost that quality from finishing second last season. Things aren't going well at this particular moment in time.
"Tottenham and Aston Villa are a little bit different now because they have improved their squads. If you look at the bench, for example, when Liverpool played Tottenham in the first game of the season, arguably they had a stronger bench than Liverpool.
"So that's a little bit different, but they haven't got the experience of going all the way which Liverpool have, in terms of finishing in the top four.
"I think Liverpool have the expectations, and rightly so, because they've done it in the past and they've proven it. They have the quality and hopefully that will carry them to the finish line."
Barnes says the battle for the final Champions League place has added extra spice to what he believes has been an interesting league campaign.
"It is really exciting because of the battle for fourth place, because we've always had the battle for first, second, third and fourth," Barnes continued.
"Had it been Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea battling for first, the battle for fourth would be non-existent. Although, Everton did get in a couple of years ago.
"So the pleasing thing from my perspective, although it's not going in Liverpool's favour at this moment, you can possibly even go down as far as Everton.
"Then you can say, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth are making it interesting."
Barnes was relieved of his duties as Tranmere manager in October but is still keen to have an active role in football.
"I waited 10 years for Tranmere," he said. "You cross your fingers and hope you're given an opportunity and hope things work out. I'm not going to say beggars can't be choosers, but if you want to get involved in football, you have to look at any opportunity."
Liverpool have suffered dips in form and injuries to key players including captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres this season and currently sit sixth in the table behind Tottenham and Manchester City.
As a result of their league standing and their early exit from the Champions League, there has been growing uncertainty over the long-term future of manager Rafa Benitez and his position could be in danger if fourth place is not achieved.
But Barnes, who played 407 times for the Anfield side and gained 79 caps for England, says the Reds have enough quality in the squad to finish fourth.
"That is why Liverpool have finished in the top four," Barnes told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Not just because of the expectation but because of the quality they have.
"They do have that quality and they haven't lost that quality from finishing second last season. Things aren't going well at this particular moment in time.
"Tottenham and Aston Villa are a little bit different now because they have improved their squads. If you look at the bench, for example, when Liverpool played Tottenham in the first game of the season, arguably they had a stronger bench than Liverpool.
"So that's a little bit different, but they haven't got the experience of going all the way which Liverpool have, in terms of finishing in the top four.
"I think Liverpool have the expectations, and rightly so, because they've done it in the past and they've proven it. They have the quality and hopefully that will carry them to the finish line."
Barnes says the battle for the final Champions League place has added extra spice to what he believes has been an interesting league campaign.
"It is really exciting because of the battle for fourth place, because we've always had the battle for first, second, third and fourth," Barnes continued.
"Had it been Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea battling for first, the battle for fourth would be non-existent. Although, Everton did get in a couple of years ago.
"So the pleasing thing from my perspective, although it's not going in Liverpool's favour at this moment, you can possibly even go down as far as Everton.
"Then you can say, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth are making it interesting."
Barnes was relieved of his duties as Tranmere manager in October but is still keen to have an active role in football.
"I waited 10 years for Tranmere," he said. "You cross your fingers and hope you're given an opportunity and hope things work out. I'm not going to say beggars can't be choosers, but if you want to get involved in football, you have to look at any opportunity."
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