Liverpool told "two better teams" will finish above them after Sadio Mane transfer

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Liverpool will finish behind Manchester City and Chelsea in the Premier League this season.

Foster's prediction is surprising considering Liverpool's tremendous form last term. Jurgen Klopp's side won the FA Cup and EFL Cup - beating Chelsea on penalties in both Wembley finals - and lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris.

The Reds also finishing just a point behind champions City in the Premier League. They amassed 92 points - 18 more than Chelsea - and were only denied the title after Pep Guardiola's side recovered from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on the final day.

Despite this, Foster believes Liverpool will struggle following the departure of Sadio Mane. The Senegal international, who was named African Footballer of the Year on Thursday evening, completed a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich earlier this summer.

Mane played an integral part in Liverpool's recent success, scoring 120 goals in six seasons under Klopp. The Reds have replaced Mane by signing prolific forward Darwin Nunez, who scored four goals in their 5-0 win against RB Leipzig on Thursday, from Benfica.

Yet Foster isn't convinced. "I just thought the season before they'd give their all and I thought they'd die off last season - they didn't die off last season they were up there all the way, live and kicking till the very last game of the season," he told his YouTube channel.

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"I think it's understandable I put them fourth last season, this season I'm going to go for third. I think there's going to be two better teams than Liverpool this year. I think losing Sadio