Liverpool must keep pace with Tottenham and Arsenal or risk finishing outside the Premier League top four, according to Glen Johnson.
The two North London clubs have made an impressive start to the season, with the Gunners sitting at the top of the table on 18 points after seven matches, while Spurs are just a point back in third. Having played a game less, Liverpool are currently languishing in eighth, nine points adrift of Mikel Arteta's league leaders.
Former Reds right-back Johnson has admitted that he didn't expect Jurgen Klopp's side to have any trouble qualifying for the Champions League - but now says it is vital that the two clubs from the capital are not allowed to get too far away from them.
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Speaking to Genting Casino, Johnson said: "The biggest shocks are Spurs and Arsenal. I don’t think people thought Spurs would be this good. Liverpool were a banker for top four at first but now I’m slightly nervous. If Liverpool are close to Spurs and Arsenal with three months to go, they’ll make it as I think Arsenal and Tottenham may fade away."
The Reds have made a stuttering start to the season, drawing their first two matches against Fulham and Crystal Palace before losing against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Back-to-back wins against Bournemouth and Newcastle United were tempered by a goalless draw with Everton, giving last season's Premier League runners-up plenty of work to do to catch the early pace-setters.
One big star who has come in for some criticism during the Reds' wobbly run is Virgil van Dijk. The usually imperious centre-back has been part of a leaky defence and looked short of the peak of his powers at times, but Johnson is backing the Dutchman to come good.
He said: "Van Dijk has set the bar so high that he’s always going to get criticised after a few bad performances. He’s certainly not hitting the heights he used to but it could be the personnel around him.
"He might be thinking it’s all too easy and has stopped concentrating. You don’t lose your quality overnight and once he gets his head back in the game, he’ll be fine."
Johnson also believes that Darwin Nunez, who has made a stop-start beginning to his Liverpool career, will most likely come good - and is also backing Harvey Elliott to break into the England team.
"I’m confident Nunez will come good. You want a player with a fire in their belly. He’s a bit like Richarlison in that respect. Whether he hits the heights of Diaz we’re yet to see but I think he’s got the potential," added Johnson.
"There’s always a risk that he could become someone like Timo Werner. Just because a player flourishes away from the Premier League, doesn’t mean they’ll do it straight away.
"I’m not surprised Elliott isn’t in the (England) squad now but I definitely think he will be at some point in the future. I enjoy watching him. Every time he gets the ball it looks like something is going to happen. He’s a bit like Jack Wilshere, great in small spaces. If he carries on as he is now, blimey he’ll be banging on the door for the World Cup."
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