Hamann: Liverpool will struggle for top four, their transfer spending is severely over budget

Hamann criticized Liverpool's transfer activity and stated that they have no hope of finishing in the top four.

The Reds have had a mediocre start under new manager Arne Slot, and last weekend they suffered a 0-3 home defeat to Manchester City.

They will visit fourth-placed Brentford on Saturday. Liverpool has won only 2 of their first 6 Premier League matches, although they did boost their confidence slightly with a 6-3 away win against Linz in the Champions League midweek.

Hamann, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, does not believe his former club can challenge for the top spots in the league this season.

He said: "For Liverpool, finishing in the top four this season would be a success, but I don't see that happening. I don't see how they can make up the points gap with Arsenal.

"This season, it will be a tough fight for Liverpool to get into the top four. If there are no points deductions, Manchester City and Arsenal are almost guaranteed top four spots. Chelsea has no European commitments, and Brighton and Brentford have also started very well.

"I also expect Manchester United to find their form at some stage, depending on what happens with the manager."

Last season, Liverpool finished fifth and qualified for the Champions League, which ultimately led to Arne Slot's departure and Andoni Iraola's appointment.

Hamann added: "Liverpool will not challenge for the title this season; they didn't even make the top four last season, just barely qualifying for the Champions League.

"Liverpool's only chance is if Iraola can get something out of the players signed last year, but so far he hasn't done that.

"Of course, Liverpool have never been the biggest spenders, but I believe that the summer after winning the league title, they felt that if they invested then, they could dominate the league for the next four or five years.

"But the reality is that Liverpool is not just overspending, they are seriously overspending."

"Wirtz has had a few good games since joining the club, most of them in the Champions League, because the pace there isn't as fast as in the league, and it's not as physical.

"With Gakpo and Isak out, getting him isn't a realistic option. You can only hope that at some point everything will click.

"Honestly, I don't think it will click. It's been 14 or 15 months now; it's dragged on too long. There won't be a happy story between Liverpool and Wirtz. I think both sides will soon start looking for solutions."

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