Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish admits Manchester United cannot be written off in the race for Champions League qualification.

The defending champions have struggled under new manager David Moyes following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite dropping two points at West Brom on Sunday, Dalglish believes Liverpool are still the favourites to finish in the top four.

"Liverpool are in fourth spot right now and someone has to come and take it off them because they are not going to give it up," he said.

"They are two points better off than the team below them (Everton) and they have a massively better goal difference.

"They have all the big teams apart from United to come to Anfield and as the team immediately below them found out last week they are pretty awesome at Anfield (winning the Merseyside derby 4-0)."

He added: "United have been one of the top-four teams for a long time and although they have not run their race yet it is very difficult for them.

"Manchester United in top form can achieve it but they've not been in top form."

Key to Liverpool's fortunes is the partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge who have scored 37 league goals between them.

And former Celtic hero Dalglish said: "They have great individual ability and they sacrifice their individual talents for the benefit for the team and you cannot ask for any more than that.

"They just have to perform between now and the end of the season."