West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has turned up the heat before his Hawthorns debut on Saturday by insisting that visitors Liverpool have to make themselves top-four contenders.
PA PhotosSteve Clarke and Kenny Dalglish left Liverpool following the disappointing 2011-12 campaign
Clarke, who had worked alongside Kenny Dalglish at Anfield, was surprised to hear that the Reds' American owners have not demanded a Champions League placing.
"They have said top four is not imperative for the current campaign," he said. "I don't believe that. A club like Liverpool have to be challenging for the top four. I don't think the club or the fans can expect anything less."
Clarke claims he and Dalglish were well on target to deliver on that target had they stayed in situ on Merseyside.
