Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas believes Liverpool could drop out of the top four this season.

The former France international claims the departure of Sadio Mane could prove very costly for the Reds, as he can’t see Luis Diaz scoring the same number of goals:

“Liverpool can miss out because they don’t have Sadio Mane anymore and Diaz does not have the same impact. Liverpool always concede goals too, like against Fulham. Even if I like how they play, I think it will be City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.”

There is definitely some credence to the claim that Diaz won’t be able to replicate the numbers of Mane, but that doesn’t mean the Merseyside club have suddenly become a bad team.

Of course, with Darwin Nunez also arriving this summer, a transition period is inevitable as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bed in a new frontline. The likes of Nunez and (to a lesser extent) Diaz need to build an understanding with their new teammates.

Even so, there is enough quality in the squad for Liverpool to get points on the board in the meantime and, even if they don’t run City as close for the title, they should still be there or thereabouts come May.