Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has suggested that the Reds will fall short in their bid for a top-four finish this season.

Brendan Rodgers has invested heavily in the squad after finishing sixth in the Premier League last term, with the arrivals of Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino among the most notable signings.

However, Bellamy has said that he does not see the team making much of an improvement this time around.

"I'd love to say they can qualify for the Champions League but I feel they will fall a little bit short of that again this year," the Welshman told the Daily Mail.

"I think [Christian] Benteke is a brilliant signing – he's definitely a player who is going to do well. They're desperate for [Daniel] Sturridge to have an injury-free season as he holds a lot of the keys as to how Liverpool will do."

Liverpool are seventh in the table after taking seven points from their opening four games.