Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor has backed Jürgen Klopp's side to win a trophy and finish in top four in the 2016/17 season, but suggested the Reds' success this season will be down to how many injuries the team endures.

The Merseyside club finished eighth in the league table in the last campaign and lost to Sevilla in the Europa League final in May. This has seen them miss out on the European competitions this term.

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Liverpool can only challenge for the Premier League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. They have managed four points from three matches in the new campaign, which includes a 4-3 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates.

Manchester United and Manchester City have spent heavily in the summer transfer window. Mellor claims it is difficult to challenge José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola's side, but suggested that the Anfield club will play entertaining football under the guidance of the former Borussia Dortmund manager.

"I think one of the biggest keys to whether Liverpool will be successful this season will be down to injuries," Mellor told the Liverpool Echo.

"We've got a very strong squad with the likes of Sadio Mane coming in and doing really well very quickly, and we need those key attacking players to stay fit.

"We'd seen glimpses of Mane's talent at Southampton but now he's at Liverpool if Jürgen Klopp can get consistency into Sadio Mané he'll have an incredible player on his hands.

"It's clear that the Manchester clubs have spent big and will be expected to challenge for the title.

"But I believe and trust that Klopp will give us an entertaining season. With no European football, I see us as a strong side competing for a top four spot and a trophy this year. I'm expecting us to be in the mix.

"We saw a very entertaining game at Spurs last weekend and I think we'll see that a lot from Liverpool this year, being involved in enjoyable games. The penalty we got was a big decision which might not always have gone our way and then the offside goal was an absolutely crucial moment in the game."

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