They have the 3rd biggest wage bill on top football, so of course they get top 4. It would almost be impossible not to get top 4. I have to say, Salah is carrying them a fair bit now, I do wonder if he has a huge offer from another team to leave, but that's a slight side.
In terms of their start, they will be underwhelmed. They've had 2 tough games, both at home and 5 easy games. They start quickly under Klopp and tend to dip mid season. This is the best they will be, and they are not top, and not clear.
City tend to get stronger through a season (I seem to remember them being about 8th when Liverpool were 1st last season, and easily overtaking them). Chelsea will also get stronger as the new players settle in and confidence grows, as you sense will United as the new signings bed in (and maybe even get a proper manager to replace OGS). United getting Maguire back will also make a huge difference.
They have to go to Chelsea and City, they led twice in one game, and played against 10 with a man advantage in the other, and got 0 wins. That will be a 6 point handicap for them when the reverse fixtures are played as well.