Rafael Benitez: Liverpool will beat Man United to top-four finish

Rafael Benitez has tipped Liverpool to secure a top-four finish this season – at the expense of Manchester United.

The Reds are currently on course to qualify for the Champions League after a solid start to the season left Brendan Rodgers’ men fourth in the table and five points ahead of United.

Liverpool coming fourth will mean Manchester United finishing outside of the Champions League

Rafael Benitez

Liverpool have not competed amongst Europe’s elite since 2009 but former Anfield boss Benitez, who is now in charge of Napoli, is confident the Merseyside club will finish in the top four this term.

“I think it will be the season when my old club Liverpool will finish in the top four, and get back to experiencing the great Anfield Champions League nights which were very special to me,” Benitez wrote in the Independent.

“I think there will be a changing of places because Liverpool coming fourth will mean Manchester United finishing outside of the Champions League.

“It is hard to talk confidently about these things in a crazy British season, of course, but Liverpool will have one important advantage when January is over. That is time.”