Exclusive - Liverpool can finish in the top four this season, claims Anfield legend John Barnes

John Barnes believes Liverpool can break back into the top four this season.

The 3-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday lifted the Reds up to eighth in the Premier League.

With fourth-placed Chelsea suffering a shock loss at home to QPR on the same night, Brendan Rodgers' side are within seven points of the final Champions League qualification place.

And Barnes claims a top four finish is a now a realistic target for his former club.

"I still think we can finish fourth, mainly because of the inconsistency of everybody else," he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

"Look at Chelsea, look at Arsenal. Apart from the top two teams, everybody else is dropping points, Liverpool included.

"That should give all the teams - Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, even Everton - hope that if they put a run together they can get into that fourth spot."

But Barnes says Liverpool must keep Luis Suarez fit to stand any chance of crashing the top four.

The Uruguayan hitman took his Premier League tally for the season to 15 goals by scoring twice against Sunderland.

“We really need to keep Suarez fit if we are to do anything this year," said Barnes. "We are lucky to have him.”