Glen Johnson admits he is surprised that Liverpool remain in top-four contention given their slow start to the 2010/11 campaign.
Reds remain in the hunt for top-four finish
Glen Johnson admits he is surprised that Liverpool remain in top-four contention given their slow start to the season.
The Reds endured a torrid opening to the 2010/11 campaign, winning only one of their first eight games.
However, with the distraction of takeover talk removed following the arrival of New England Sports Ventures, results have improved dramatically over recent weeks.
Saturday's 3-0 victory over West Ham was their fourth success in six outings and helped to lift them back into the top half of the Premier League table.
Their 19-point return sees them six points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City, but England full-back Johnson admits Liverpool are just delighted to still be in the hunt.
Target
"We are still quite close to the top and, if we can keep going, then I'm sure we can be close to where we want to be," he said.
"It surprises me that we are within sight of fourth place when you consider some of the points we have dropped."
Liverpool's top-four credentials will be given a thorough examination on Sunday when they go to Tottenham, the side who took advantage of their troubles last season to march into the UEFA Champions League.
Midfielder Christian Poulsen is determined to help the Reds take something from their trip to White Hart Lane, especially as their away form has been far from sparkling this term.
"Tottenham will be a completely different game," said the Denmark international.
Crazy
"We watched them against Arsenal (when they came from behind to win 3-2) and they played really well.
"The league is a little bit crazy at the moment and everyone is beating each other.
"We have to be 110 per cent for the game in London to get something.
"I really hope that we can be better away, starting at Tottenham, but we have got to keep working on that. It will be a big test.
"It's not only Liverpool who have had problems away, a lot of the teams are picking up their points at home."
