With Liverpool almost sure to be crowned league champions, it's the fight for the Champions League berths that would drive the remainder of the Premier League, feels former England and Manchester United footballer Steve Coppell.

The Premier League restarted on Wednesday after a 100-day break, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It's almost certain Liverpool would bag the title. And they have also confirmed their place for the Champions League. But the next seven-eight teams can finish in the top-four. So they all would be charged up to earn that right. I am extremely happy that football action has resumed in England. The next one-and-a-half months would be full of football," a happy-sounding Coppell, who played 322 games for United, told The Telegraph on Wednesday.

As things stand at present, Manchester City would not take part in Europe's top club competition for the next two seasons as they are banned for financial fair play breaches. City have appealed against the ban though.

Coppell believes that though the players are eager to get back to the field, the job would not be easy after days of inaction. "It is indeed very difficult for the players to stay out of the game for so long. Their condition is like of horses coming out from the starting point. But Pep Guardiola said a very important thing before the restart.

"Pep said, 'We are ready to play one game now, but three days after that and four days after that, we are not ready… not just Man City, all teams.' The gap is very less between matches and it is very unusual. But the situation is not normal. So how the players react to this situation is going to be very important for the teams," Coppell, who has also coached Man City, said.

The 64-year old believes United have a good chance to qualify for the Champions League. "A fully fit Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba would give tough times to opposition defence. If they can play according to their potential, then United can make their fans happy.

"They would play their first game against Spurs, away. Harry Kane is fit and that is a big plus for the home side. Though no supporters would be there at the stadium, an away match is always an away match. But if United can do well against Spurs on Friday, they would get the fuel to run well in the remaining matches of the league," the former World Cupper said.

Liverpool-born Coppell thinks that the Juergen Klopp-coached Reds would like to seal their title quickly, winning their first two matches. "I think they first want to secure the title. Then they would think about the rest. They have a chance to touch 100 points but that they would think later. The pandemic made it a long wait for them. They would win the title after a long time, so it must be precious for them."

Coppell heaped praise on Liverpool's strike force. "Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been phenomenal from the beginning of the season. They have excellent understanding. They are well supported by two wing backs - Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson. So when they attack, it's five people putting pressure on the opponent defence and it becomes difficult for the other teams."

Liverpool had some defensive problems but Virgil van Dijk has managed to make it steady, thinks Coppell, who has also coached Indian Super League (ISL) sides Kerala Blasters, Jamshedpur FC and ATK. "Virgil van Dijk has been doing a fantastic job at the defence. The other defenders, Dejan Lovren and Joseph Gomez, are also doing well. Their goalkeeper Alisson made some fine stops. I used to wait for their games before the league stopped," he said.

Coppell credits Klopp for turning around Liverpool. "Credit should be given to Klopp. If you look at him in the technical area, he remains very energetic. I think he is the same in the dressing room as well. He can bring the best out of his players and that is his biggest strength," he said.

And what does he want from the league this time?

"I am from Liverpool, so Reds winning the league would make me happy. I always say I support of two teams - Liverpool and United. As a player, United gave me everything, so I want them to qualify for the Champions League," he said.

Looks like red is Coppell's colour.