The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer Alan Shearer expects Liverpool to finish 2nd behind Manchester City this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are top of the table at the halfway point of the campaign but, when asked to predict how the top four will look in May, Shearer replied:

“City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Villa. I wanted to put Newcastle in but I can’t!”

The Reds currently have a five-point lead over City but that could be reduced to two if the reigning champions win their game in hand, so Pep Guardiola’s men are still very much in the hunt for top spot.

There have been question marks about their consistency after dropping points over the last couple of months but their performance against Everton on Wednesday suggests that they are in it for the long haul.

As for Liverpool, they haven’t always performed well this season but they have managed to find ways of getting results.

Klopp’s men will be facing Shearer’s former team on Monday night

The Reds face Newcastle next up and you would usually put this one down as a tough game. After all, it took a 98-minute winner from Fabio Carvalho to secure victory in the corresponding fixture last season.

However, the Magpies are going through a difficult run of form, having lost 4 of their last 5 league fixtures, so the home side will be favourites to secure the win at Anfield.

Liverpool will be playing catch-up this weekend

With City playing Sheffield United this afternoon and Arsenal in action against Fulham on Sunday, rivals will be able to close the gap on the Reds before the Merseysiders next play.

It’s really important for Klopp’s team that they are able to pick up some momentum and put together a run of wins to maintain the gap over their title rivals.

Watch a preview of Liverpool’s plans for the January transfer window on Shots!TV here