Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has tipped the Reds to make a top four return in the Barclays Premier League this season.
The Spanish international midfielder, who left Anfield for Real Madrid in 2009, continues to keep a close eye on the fortunes of the Merseysiders and continues to keep in contact with some of the club's top players.
Galvanised by the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as manager in January and the stability offered by American owners FSG, Alonso believes Liverpool 'belong' with the Champions League elite and will be able to make a return after spending wisely in the transfer window.
"The club has clearly been working in the transfer market and they have brought in a few quality players," Alonso told the Daily Mirror.
"I still keep in contact with Pepe and Steve Gerrard. They are looking forward to this season with the new additions. With those players - and, more importantly - the stability at the club, they will be in the top four at the end of the season.
"It's where the club belongs. People still talk about that Champions League victory and that's the sort of night Liverpool should be experiencing more regularly."
The Reds will be full of optimism when they kick-off the new campaign in 12 days, with Sunderland the first opponents of the Barclays Premier League season.
