'Reds have the quality to secure Champions League football'
Jürgen Klopp's ambition and the quality at his disposal means Liverpool have everything they need to secure Champions League football for next term, according to David Fairclough.
While Chelsea have all but cemented their position as runaway Premier League leaders, the fate of the five closely matched clubs behind them remains uncertain ahead of the final 13 fixtures of the season.
Just four points separate second and sixth place, with the Reds set to battle Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United for a top-four finish across the remaining games.
But LFC legend Fairclough has plenty of faith that Klopp's team can achieve their aims if they can find the much-needed consistency that eluded them somewhat in January.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's within them. There's absolutely no doubting that we have the quality, it's just about having that consistency and getting the approach right.
"Jürgen's a very ambitious manager, he hasn't come to Liverpool just to play out time, so to speak.
"He's motivated, he's highly driven, and I'm sure he's getting that over to players at this point in time, and it's up to everybody to actually stand up and deliver.
"I'd like to think that they're well capable of qualifying for the Champions League."
Sadio Mane bagged his first goals since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations last time out as Spurs were beaten 2-0 at Anfield.
And former Reds forward Fairclough is encouraged by the form of a man he believes could be key during the run-in.
"Mane has really taken the eye this season, he's been a great signing. The goals that he's scored, the action that he creates and has been involved in has made everyone stand up and take note," he added.
"He's got an awful lot to offer, he's a huge part of the way the team plays.
"He's a bit of an inspiration, I suppose, and he sets the tone in ways with his pace [because] he's so electric, to keep up with him players have to play a similar tempo.
"So it's great to have him back and clearly hitting a bit of form."
The three-time European Cup winner also praised fellow striker Roberto Firmino - a player he insists is 'integral' to LFC's impressively fluid front three.
"I think if he's the lead man - and obviously he's the focal point because he plays in that central role - then he has a big responsibility," he explained.
"We get a lot from that, either bringing about goalmouth action or holding up the ball and bringing others into play.
"The link play with Mane and Coutinho is really vital, and those three when they're firing on all cylinders are a really attractive package. He's very much integral."