Jamie Redknapp: Liverpool are fragile, but they can still make Premier League top four | Football News

Jamie Redknapp says “fragile” Liverpool are playing with “very little confidence” but reckons they can still finish in the top four.

Jurgen Klopp’s side worked hard at Selhurst Park, just days after being humiliated by Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League, although they moved up to seventh after a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace left them six points behind hosts Tottenham. Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

Liverpool saw Mo Salah hit the crossbar and Cody Gakpo miss a great chance, but ultimately couldn’t find a way past a poor Palace side, who have their own problems in attack, summing up where the club currently find themselves. Sky Sports pundit Redknapp.

“I’m glad Wilf Zaha didn’t play today, to be honest. The way Liverpool defend, someone like him can unlock the door,” said Redknapp.

“I think, with Liverpool now, the performance I want from him. He is fragile, he has very little confidence, he does not play freely.

“A clean sheet is obviously a plus, because if you concede five in the middle of the week you have to dig in. But it’s very difficult now.

“I wouldn’t say we got points because the teams around us like Spurs will think it’s a good result for them, but now it’s just slowly building their confidence back up.

“Liverpool had the odd chance here but they didn’t do enough. And now it’s just where it is. In the summer there have to be changes but you can’t worry.”

Redknapp believes Liverpool’s next two games, both at home to Wolves on Wednesday and rivals Manchester United four days later, are crucial to their top-four hopes.

“Liverpool’s season will almost be done in the next two games,” he said. “If you identify a game as a Liverpool player, he can define a season, especially when you’re in a bit of a fragile situation.

“Everything can be turned around if we win on March 5 (vs Man Utd) and win in midweek. Suddenly, the top four is a real ambition, which I can still do.

“They need to win these two home games. They need to find that confidence and belief at home, because they will be thrown out a little bit. [Real Madrid] performance. But it’s the game that I really believe will make all the difference.

“You can’t go into a situation where you played every game last year, you have to go to a cup final where you did, and suddenly you’re a bad side. They’re broken, the confidence is low. , but I still think they can get into the top four with that squad .”

It’s clear Liverpool will need to rebuild in the summer with Jude Bellingham a key target and despite the club’s failure to push for the top four, Redknapp thinks his best players still want to come to Anfield.

“He will still get the best, even if he doesn’t get the top four,” added Redknapp. “Manchester United have never had that problem, buying big players [when they’re struggling].

“I think the owners will spend. I think they know what they have to do. I think if Jurgen Klopp doesn’t believe in him, he won’t stay there either.

“He gets a lot of sticks, this owner, but he also supports the manager and he knows it. He never complains about the players he has bought. ? Do they need Cody Gakpo now?’

“But the players will always want to go there. They can still get the best. Jude Bellingham will look at Liverpool and see Klopp as a possible option because of what he will bring and how he can improve.

“It won’t be easy to sign him because every club wants him, but this is the type of player you have to look for if you want to improve and start challenging again.

“Even if it’s less for Liverpool at times, you’re never far. You’re only one or two players away. Look at what Manchester United has done suddenly with Ten Hag. He brought in a couple of players, there’s a bit more confidence, and suddenly they’re flying high.

“With Liverpool, Fabinho is only 29 but he looks like he’s over the edge. Maybe they need to find a young defensive midfielder to fill that void. But I still think he’ll get to the top four, and next year he’ll challenge again.”