CHERRIES boss Gary O'Neil is "not sure" why Liverpool struggled for form earlier in the season, but is confident they will end the campaign by qualifying for the Champions League.

Last campaign, Jurgen Klopp's Reds battled hard for an unprecedented quadruple.

They ended with two pieces of silverware, the EFL Cup and FA Cup, losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid and pipped to the Premier League title on the final day by Manchester City.

Liverpool played a staggering 63 matches in the 2021-22 campaign, losing just four, but it has been a struggle for large spells this time around.

A recent resurgence, capped by a 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United, has seen the Merseysiders climb up to fifth in the table, with 42 points from their 25 matches played.

But after 25 games last season, they sat second on 57 points.

This season, they have so far already lost 11 of their 38 matches in all competitions and look set to end the season with no silverware, unless they can overturn a 5-2 first-leg deficit against Real Madrid to stay in the Champions League.

Asked what has changed at Liverpool from last season to this, O'Neil, who previously worked at the Reds in their academy, said: "I think they’ve had some difficult injury issues.

"They have moved slightly in style. I’m not sure why they struggled so much earlier in the season.

"They’re on an incredible run now and I think they’re showing what they’re capable of.

"Anybody that is capable of beating Manchester United 7-0 is a serious football team.

"I expect them to secure their place in the top four. I think they will be very, very strong from this point onwards.

"Obviously some new signings that may take a while to settle – (Cody) Gakpo and (Darwin) Nunez look like real, good additions.

"But they’ll be adapting to a new country and new league as well. I expect them to finish strongly."

Cherries host Liverpool this afternoon (12.30pm).