Jamie Carragher expects Liverpool to miss out on Champions League qualification through the Premier League.
The Sky Sports pundit said it is now "a long way back" for Arne Slot's side to finish in the top five, following their 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City on Super Sunday.
That loss has left Liverpool four points off fifth-placed Chelsea. Had City's disallowed third goal have stood, Liverpool would have fallen to seventh in the league table as they are level on goal difference with Brentford.
Were they to lose at Sunderland on Wednesday, they could slip as low as ninth.
When asked if he reckons Liverpool will make the Premier League's qualifying places for the Champions League - which is set to be expanded from four positions to five again this season - Carragher replied: "No. Right now I don't.
"They would have to have a huge upturn in form. And the ones above them are in great form."
Reflecting on the impact of the defeat to Man City, he said: "It's a bad one. When you look at the league for Liverpool, it looks like a long way to get into the top five Champions League positions. There's a gap now. You can make that up but Liverpool will have to do well in the two cup competitions to save the season."
Slot has immediate problems ahead of the tricky midweek trip to Sunderland, too, with three right-backs unavailable. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are injured and Dominik Szoboszlai - who played in that position against Man City - is suspended after his sending off, while Joe Gomez is a fitness doubt.
"When you look at Liverpool's bench for the game against Sunderland in midweek, Szoboszlai won't be playing now and they've got a problem at right-back," added Carragher.
Discussing what Slot can do to get Liverpool on track, Carragher said there are key issues around the balance of the squad - as well as bad mistakes being made by their top players.
"A lot of Liverpool's season is about mistakes you cannot believe from players of that calibre," he said. "Virgil van Dijk at Bournemouth, Alisson [against Man City]. You can't believe a goalkeeper of his calibre makes the decision to do that for the penalty.
"The manager has another decision to make on the front four.
"If Liverpool continue the way they are, with a front four and the games end to end, I just don't see how they can make the Champions League positions.
"But no matter what Arne Slot does, the make-up of this squad and team isn't right. It never looks stable, they are never in control.
"There is a long road ahead for Liverpool to make the Champions League places."
Wowekmnpz
0
Liver will make it believe me.We will never Walk alone.
Niyadops
0
#arne srot out can't manage the real ;intensity of a huge club he's run out of ideas wining of Liverpool this season is drow and we ends up loosing
Pambckmnz
0
FOOLISH CARRAGHER always talking Foolishly
Ponabikmst
1
every one predicted Manchester United to be 10 or 15 position this season an liverpool would be challenging for the title look at them now saying that they won't even get top 4 an who's above them Manchester United an this is one of the reasons i love football..... red devils for life
No they said Liverpool will regain the trophy, and United would be 7-8
ngc3bo
2
Carragher before the game " I can't see man city winning * Carragher after the game" I can't see Liverpool make it to UCL 😂😂😂
Tehcikors
0
Dominic hero and villain again
why is he the villian? did his red card cause the defeat?
Tehcikors
0
why is he the villian
Newdmopsy
0
every one predicted Manchester United to be 10 or 15 position this season an liverpool would be challenging for the title look at them now saying that they won't even get top 4 an who's above them Manchester United an this is one of the reasons i love football..... red devils for life
Liverpool are still the champions...no matter what u guys say...
Jabacnostu
0
every one predicted Manchester United to be 10 or 15 position this season an liverpool would be challenging for the title look at them now saying that they won't even get top 4 an who's above them Manchester United an this is one of the reasons i love football..... red devils for life
Hold it! and don't get carried away by just winning 4 matches. This is EPL. Between now and May, anything can happen!!!
ifadac
2
Not only UCL; no Europa or conference league for LiVARpool next season 😩
enkel45
4
every one predicted Manchester United to be 10 or 15 position this season an liverpool would be challenging for the title look at them now saying that they won't even get top 4 an who's above them Manchester United an this is one of the reasons i love football..... red devils for life
Jalo511
2
Just imagine if it was Chelsea in this situation with the money spent this idiot and he’s big mouth will not close
wawablnpst
0
Maybe they need a player that can put a ball in the net, a job for Carragher oh wrong net!
Luebeikno
0
sa it loud u stupid pondit jealous of chelsea up d blues
necacilouz
1
this game was a good one tho. but I don't believe loosing at home infront your fans
necacilouz
2
they needs to fire slot. slot can't manage the real intensity of a huge club. he's run out of ideas. see how many times this season we have games to win or even games to draw. and we ends up loosing.
konbckmpty
0
Dominic hero and villain again
konbckmpty
0
He’s an emotionally biased fan when we needed objective punditry. Ultimately, it’s only three points. There are plenty of games left .as they say in Liverpool “calm down.”
Kinadlnosu
1
sack coach and bring in jamier carragher ,may be can transform Livepool from better to was and mis out European spot
Zapailnors
0
Jamie charager u are just a piece of sheet
bieadekrt
0
No
Junacersz
1
To the powers that be,🙏 sack Slot.
bieadekrt
0
Sack slot
Jumbcknost
1
A good game it was but the best team carried the day.
wepabltuy
0
Sponsored by Slot and Co, especially Ekitike and Kerkez.
Widbiltz
1
Slot will surely miss out on champions league next season and he will be sacked.