Luis Garcia is backing Liverpool to finish in the top four this season under Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are currently in fourth place in the Premier League table as they look to secure a spot in the Champions League in Klopp’s first full season in charge at Anfield.
The German coach has been tasked with steering the Reds back into Europe’s elite club competition after the Merseyside outfit finished in eighth place last term.
Liverpool are preparing for their crunch Merseyside derby showdown against Everton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon as they look to keep their top-four bid on track.
But former Reds star Garcia is confident that the Merseyside outfit will be able to secure a return to the Champions League for next season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Garcia said: “I think it’s still there (Champions League qualification for Liverpool).
“It was the target at the beginning of the season and it’s the one they have to continue working for.
“I think the team is ready for it, it’s true they had a down period during the first part of 2017 but I’m sure of the reaction they’re going to have.
“They [Liverpool] have the perfect manager to do it. We know what he is capable of doing with this team and they’ve shown it before during the first part of the league.
“I don’t have a doubt that if they continue working the same way they will be in the top four at the end of the season.”
Liverpool were knocked out of all domestic cup competitions and now only have Premier League places to fight for as the season reaches its conclusion.
The Reds finished in the top four under Brendan Rodgers but were dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage the following season.