Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher claims the Reds will beat Manchester United to finish the season in top four and qualify for the Champions League next campaign.

Louis van Gaal’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swansea City in the last league clash at the Liberty Stadium. On the other hand, the Merseyside club sealed a 2-0 victory over Southampton away from home.

After the last weekends fixtures, United have dropped to fourth place with 47 points from 26 games and Brendan Rodgers’ side are two points behind them in sixth place. The former Liverpool defender believes United and the Anfield club’s run in this calendar year will help the latter to finish in top four.

“I have said for the last few weeks I didn’t think Liverpool would get into the top four because of their FA Cup and European commitments and I felt Manchester United would,” Carragher told the Liverpool Echo.

“I don’t know if people are saying Man United are not playing well, they’re out of form or whether that’s just how Manchester United are playing this season under Louis van Gaal.”

“The fact that they’ve dropped points can happen, they’ve been on a great run, but Liverpool are coming into great form,” he said.

The 20-times English champions are yet to face Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Liverpool in the league. The clash against the Reds will be at Anfield and Carragher believes a result against their arch rivals will be crucial for Liverpool to help them finish in top four.

“I think a lot will be decided in the game (between the two sides) at Anfield and I’d have to fancy Liverpool to win that game with the form both teams are in,” the former Liverpool defender stressed.

“Whether the accumulation of games will be a factor for Liverpool, who knows  But that game at Anfield will have a massive bearing on it and I’d have to fancy Liverpool at the moment.”