Derby County veteran Robbie Savage has wrote-off Liverpool's top four hopes.

The former Manchester United trainee also believes they will be beaten by United on Sunday.

Savage told the Mirror: "I don't think Liverpool will finish in the top four this season.

"Some people are saying that this weekend is the best possible time for Rafa Benitez's side to play Manchester United as it gives them the perfect chance to get the pain of four straight defeats out of their system.

"I disagree. I think there couldn't be a worse game for them - especially with United starting to look good away from home.

"If either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres is absent it could be a painful afternoon.

"I take nothing away from Liverpool, a great club who I wish I'd been good enough to play for. But stripped of Gerrard and Torres they are simply not good enough."