Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes his old team can shape their season in the coming week.

The Reds go to Manchester City to kickoff a season defining period for the club.

And Murphy insists it can be the making of manager Jurgen Klopp's young team, stating in a column for BBC Sport: "This is going to be a monumental week for Liverpool, but the fact they face three huge tests in quick succession might actually be exactly what they need.

"Starting on Saturday, the Reds play Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the space of eight days and I think they need to win at least two of those games to stay in the fight for the top four.

"That looks like a daunting prospect - but it might surprise a few people to see that Liverpool have not just done well in these big games this season, they've done better than any of the other top teams.

"To see Jurgen Klopp's side top of this mini-table did not shock me, though - it actually backs up my theory about their struggles this season, and why they have not got close to mounting a title challenge."

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