Liverpool’s Champions League fate is in their own hands according to their former winger Jermaine Pennant.
The Reds have made a late charge towards the Premier League’s top four, despite previously looking like they were out of the picture.
Six consecutive wins have seen Jurgen Klopp’s men make up ground on Manchester United and Newcastle who both lost last time out.
However, Liverpool are still a point behind United, and three behind the Magpies, with both teams above them having a crucial game in hand.
That means Klopp’s side will be looking for three wins from three to end the season, and will be counting on points elsewhere.
But in their former star Pennant’s eyes, nine points to end the campaign will be enough.
“If Liverpool win their three games they will finish top four, 100 per cent,” the talkSPORT host said.
“I reckon that Newcastle have got a tougher run-in than Manchester United, Newcastle have got Chelsea, Brighton and let’s write off Leicester, but I think the other two, even though Chelsea are having a bad time, they’re still tough to beat if they show up.”
Continuing on why he thinks third-placed Newcastle are Liverpool’s biggest hope, Pennant continued: “Newcastle, this is all new to them.
“The result against Arsenal, you’re starting to see little signs of the pressure creeping in, of the thought of playing Champions League being the talk around the town.
“These games now are bigger than what they would’ve been if they were just playing for fifth, sixth or seventh, and these players have not been in this position, some of them haven’t played Champions League football.
“It doesn’t matter how good you are, the pressure gets to you and it affects your ability on the pitch, 100 per cent.”
