Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool won't be playing in the Champions League next season, says former Red Steve Nicol
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol reckons his old club have blown their chance to qualify for the Champions League after drawing with Birmingham on Sunday.[LNB] The disappointing 1-1 draw leaves Rafa Benitez's side in sixth, four points adrift of Manchester City, who have played a game less.[LNB] And with just five Premier League matches left this season, Nicol, who played over 300 games for the Reds, believes City are favourites to finish fourth, which will condemn Liverpool to another season in the Europa League. [LNB] Kop that! Liam Ridgewell celebrates after scoring Birmingham's equaliser [LNB] 'I don't think Liverpool will get fourth now,' Nicol told Goal.com. 'Manchester City were looking a bit shaky, and I think if it wasn't for [Carlos] Tevez they would have no chance. But if he stays healthy then they have a great chance, and they are in the best position right now.[LNB]'With Liverpool, you just don't know what you're going to get. There is a real inconsistency there.[LNB]'The bottom line is that, compared with the teams above them, their squad of players isn't good enough. 'I mean, take Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres out of the equation, and how many players would be in Chelsea's team? Or Manchester United's? It's not many.'[LNB] The good old days: Nicol (centre) won the league title four times in 14 years[LNB] Liverpool were viewed as real contenders for the Premier League title after falling just short last season. But the Reds have endured a terrible campaign, being dumped out of the Champions League before Christmas and failing miserably in the league. [LNB]'From halfway on last season, it seemed that the shackles came off and they were going after teams and playing their football with enjoyment,' Nicol, who enjoyed 14 trophy-laden years at Anfield, added. 'Then when this season started it seemed that all that had gone.' [LNB] Nicol also highlighted the well-documented trouble behind the scenes at Liverpool as a factor in their poor campaign.[LNB] Early lead: Gerrard had fired Liverpool ahead against Birmingham on Sunday [LNB] 'Of course we do not know what is going on within the club, we can only speculate,' he said of the reported £237m debt. [LNB]'But the fact that Liverpool are not challenging for the title showsthat something, somewhere, is not right. The league table alone cantell you that.[LNB] 'Which part? Well hopefully someone within theclub knows. They certainly should do, because that is what they therefor. And hopefully they can fix it.' [LNB] Rafa Benitez stuns fans by subbing Fernando Torres: Is this the moment Liverpool boss gave up on finishing fourth?Birmingham 1 Liverpool 1: You're four it! But Rafa says he'll clinch Euro spotLiverpool takeover: Deadline extended for potential buy out of Hicks and GillettAlberto Aquilani in line for a shock recall by Liverpool boss Rafa BenitezLIVERPOOL FC
