Jamie Carragher has implored Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers to chase a top-four spot rather than trying to get into the Champions League via the Europa League.
The Reds won their Round of 32 first leg in Europe's second tier club competition with a 1-0 result over Besiktas last week which has them in a precarious position ahead of the return leg in Istanbul on Thursday night.
Former Anfield defender Carragher recently suggested that Liverpool could find their way back into the Champions League by virtue of success in the Europa League but the retired centre-back is now of the belief that their domestic form is good enough to clinch a top-four finish ahead of arch rivals Manchester United.
"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," he told talkSPORT's Drivetime.
"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 and I think a lot will be decided in the game (between the two sides) at Anfield (on March 22) and I'd have to fancy Liverpool to win that game with the form both teams are in.
"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."
Carragher added: "Before the weekend it was still a very outside chance and maybe the Europa League was their best chance but now I think there is more chance of Liverpool getting into the top four than winning the Europa League and it maybe something the manager and the staff assess."
