Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce is backing Liverpool to claim fourth place ahead of local rivals Everton.
The Toffees currently lead The Reds by a point and have seen their commanding Premiership advantage whittled away recently.
Liverpool saw off Juventus in Europe on Tuesday and Pearce believes they will overtake Everton in the race for fourth.
The Merseysiders will be hoping to keep up their impressive form when they travel to the City of Manchester Stadium this weekend.
"Liverpool are a good side," said Pearce. "You have to be to reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup.
"They have got to get above Everton, not only from the rivalry factor but also from the financial standpoint of getting into the Champions League and I believe they will probably manage it.
"They are hitting form at the right time, are starting to peg Everton back and getting very close to sealing a place in the Champions League for next season."