Liverpool are like the Manchester United of the 1980s, says former captain and manager Graeme Souness

The former Liverpool captain and manager believes his old club will still finish in the Premier League's top four, at the expense of two rivals

Sunday 26 March 2017 13:30 BST

Liverpool have struggled to see off the Premier League's lesser lights this season (Getty)

Graeme Souness has compared Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool to the Manchester United of the 1980s, such is their inconsistency.

The Merseysiders’ early hopes of a title challenge were extinguished in mid-season following a series of indifferent results against those in bottom half of the Premier League table.

Liverpool have suffered defeats to Bournemouth, Swansea City, Hull City and Leicester City since December, and have dropped points against both West Ham United and Sunderland.

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

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1/12Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Daniel Sturridge

An electric frontman just three years ago, Sturridge has now lost a bit of that spark due to persistent injury problems. However, according to Jamie Carragher, Sturridge has become irked at speculation linking him with a move away, suggesting he may yet stick around to prove himself. Survival rating: 6/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Alberto Moreno

Moreno is surely in line to depart this summer, having been frozen out of the starting line-up since the opening day win at Arsenal and kept out by a makeshift left-back. Although he offers an obvious attacking threat, his lack of composure has cost Liverpool too many times in his short Anfield career. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Simon Mignolet

He may have won his battle with Loris Karius for the starting spot between the sticks, but both may have lost the war. Neither have convinced when given an opportunity and Mignolet is merely the man in possession. There will be concern if that’s still the case come next season’s opening weekend. Survival rating: 8/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Emre Can

A player with undoubted potential, but one who has consistently under-performed. His contractual situation is a worry, too. Can’s current deal expires in the summer of 2018 and, with negotiations progressing slowly, Liverpool could be tempted to cash in. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lucas Leiva

A club stalwart, a fan favourite, but a player undoubtedly coming to the end of his time at Anfield. His contract expires this summer and a renewal would be one borne out of sentiment rather than sense. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Loris Karius

Like Mignolet, Karius' future will depend on whether Klopp decides to enter the market for a goalkeeper for the second consecutive summer. If he does, last year's signing from Mainz will have a long road back to the first team. He is young, though, and his status as a relatively new signing could work in his favour. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Ragnar Klavan

Brought in as a fourth-choice centre-back last summer, Klavan shot up the pecking order following Mamadou Sakho’s disciplinary issues. Joel Matip’s injury problems saw Klavan promoted further still and, though he has put in a handful of solid displays, others have been below-par. If a new centre-back arrives and Joe Gomez’s development continues apace, Klavan will be back on the fringes. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is currently out on loan at Crystal Palace and his Anfield career looks all but over after the disciplinary problems which have dogged him. Klopp looks to have made his mind up on the defender, who would be a regular starter if he had his manager's trust. Survival rating: 1/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Jon Flanagan

Local-born Flanagan is a fan favourite who only signed a new contract last season, but as an old-fashioned full-back, he is perhaps not dynamic enough for Klopp's system. A lack of minutes at loan club Burnley will not have helped his cause. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Andre Wisdom

Wisdom broke into Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side during the Northern Irishman's first season at the club, but his progress has stagnated. The 23-year-old may now look to build a career away from English football, having spent this season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lazar Markovic

Markovic seems destined to become an expensive Liverpool flop, having flattered to deceive since his £20million move from Benfica in 2014. He could yet enjoy success elsewhere however, and has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent while on loan at Hull. Survival rating: 3/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Danny Ings

Liverpool's forgotten man has been unlucky with injuries since joining from Burnley. Ings has made just 11 starts in two years following two serious knee injuries. With any luck, Klopp will show sympathy to his beleaguered striker. Survival rating: 6/10

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These results contrast with their record against the top six, with Klopp’s side topping the ‘mini-league’ between the title and Champions League contenders, and Souness, a former Liverpool captain and manager, has called on his old club to iron out such inconsistencies.

“Liverpool supporters will be mystified by their team. They play well against the big guys and slip up against the lesser lights,” he writes in The Times.

“When I played for Liverpool, Manchester United were like Liverpool are now. Against the big clubs, they would turn up, but they would suffer daft defeats and draws against the also-rans.

“If you are going to win this league, that’s something you have to get right. We were constantly reminded of that at Liverpool when we were either European champions or defending league champions,” he added.

“They would say to us, ‘This might not be the biggest game of your season, but it is for the guy across the corridor.’”

Souness does, however, believe that Liverpool will have enough to claim a top four finish, and believes that Arsenal and Manchester United are the two clubs who will miss out.

The Sky Sports pundit suggests that United “might have had too many home draws in the first part of the season” to qualify for next season’s Champions League through the traditional route.

“Arsenal usually falter in February and March, then reach the top four with a late run in April and May, but I don’t see it happening after their defeat at West Bromwich Albion,” he adds.

“As long as there are doubts over Arsène Wenger’s future, it gives the weak personalities in their squad another excuse.”

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