Joleon Lescott has told LiveScore that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United could finish in the Premier League top four this season due to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool struggling.
The former Manchester City central defender believes that Liverpool struggling this season has opened the door for Newcastle to end up in the UEFA Champions League places in the Premier League table this season.
Liverpool are eighth in the Premier League table at the moment with 19 points from 13 matches.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played 14 games.
Meanwhile, Newcastle currently find themselves third in the standings with 27 points from 14 games, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, who have played 13 games.
Joleon Lescott on Newcastle and Liverpool
Lescott said: “The World Cup takes centre stage after this weekend but I’m expecting the Saturday evening showdown between Newcastle and Chelsea to sign the Premier League action off in style.
“Whatever happens, Eddie Howe’s Magpies are now guaranteed to be in the top four at Christmas — I’m not sure even the most optimistic Newcastle fans would really have expected that!
“It’s been a sensational start from them and I’m now starting to think they can keep it up and grab a spot in next season’s Champions League.
“Sure, history tells us it’s unlikely. But on what they’ve shown in recent weeks, I don’t see any reason why they will suddenly slow down.
“Their style of play isn’t reliant on individual brilliance and it doesn’t feel like their approach or performance levels are unsustainable.
“They’ve just found a really effective way of playing, coupled with a culture that all the players are clearly buying into and enjoying. These are special times at St James’ Park. What also counts in their favour this season is the underperformance of Liverpool.
“Previously, I considered Manchester City and the Reds to be shoo-ins for the top four, leaving two spots for everyone else to chase — but that’s not the case any more.
“The door is very much open for Newcastle and a victory against Chelsea would put a nine-point gap between them and the Blues. That’s huge, even at this stage of the season.”
Exciting
It must be really exciting for Newcastle United fans that the team are doing so well in the Premier League at the moment.
Not many would have expected the Magpies to challenge for the UEFA Champions League places in the league table, but they are doing just that.
Now, it will be interesting to see if Eddie Howe’s side are able to maintain this form for the rest of the season.
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