Hansen: Liverpool ‘Can Finish Ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea’

Liverpool have the capacity to finish above their Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, according to their former captain Alan Hansen.

The former Anfield stalwart believes Liverpool and Tottenham will make up the top four places in the Premier League alongside the two Manchester clubs.

Although the aforementioned Match of the Day pundit suggests he may be slightly biased in his views that Liverpool are better equipped to finish above Chelsea and Arsenal and therefore earn Champions League football next season, but that is his view nonetheless.

Liverpool are currently two points behind Arsenal and three behind Chelsea but have a game in hand. Kenny Dalglish takes his side to league leaders Manchester City on Tuesday knowing victory would put them on the cusp of the top four.

When asked to name his top four this season, the Liverpool legend told the Daily Telegraph: "I take Tottenham to finish third with Liverpool claiming fourth position.

"That may be heart ruling head, but I believe they can finish ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea."

Liverpool's efforts to re-establish themselves in the top four this season could be hampered by the pending ban that Luis Suarez faces. The Anfield number seven is due to miss eight matches and the Merseyside club must decide on whether or not to contest the charge which relates to his abuse of Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

Ahead of the match against Manchester City, Liverpool boss Dalglish suggested 2012 may hold more fortune for his side than the last year, intimating the Reds have perhaps not had the best of luck over the last 12-months.

"I don't think the players have had the reward for their performances so maybe January 3 it is going to run on and we will get some of the luck we deserved for the great play they have." The Liverpool manager told the club's official website.

"We will look forward to 2012 and hopefully it will bring us more luck than we got in the first part of this season."

Next Five Premier League fixtures for Liverpool: Man City (Away), Stoke (Home), Bolton (Away), Wolves (Away), Tottenham (Home)