Red-dy for the fight

It may have been a disappointing season for Liverpool, but John Barnes reckons the club are not too far from where they should be.

The Anfield legend joined Ian Payne and Chris Kamara on the Goals on Sunday sofa to discuss the state of his former club and he admitted Liverpool have been too inconsistent in the last decade.

Last season the Reds finished four points behind champions Manchester United, but they are struggling to repeat that form this time around and are involved in a race with Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa for the fourth Champions League spot.

However, Barnes is confident Liverpool will finish in fourth - and says that is arguably where they should finish given the players that Benitez has at his disposal.

"Over the last 10 years they have not been consistent enough," Barnes said.

"Last year, for example, they finished second and I thought it was a great season for them. I happen to believe they overachieved last year because to get that close to winning the league - with what they have - shows what a great job Rafa did.

"They missed Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres a lot so to finish second - when you look at what they have - they overachieved.

"The squad is not as good as Chelsea's or Manchester United or even Arsenal's for that matter, so for them to do what they did last year was incredible.

"This year I expected them to be better, but even though they aren't doing better I wouldn't go as far as to say it breaks my heart because I know things can change.

"I still think they can finish fourth, which in many respects you could argue is where they should finish.

"Should they win the league? No, not with what they have. So it's been a disappointing season but I still think they'll finish fourth."

Sums

Benitez has been criticised for spending large sums of money on players such as Alberto Aquilani, who has struggled to command a place in the first team.

However, Barnes says Liverpool have not been able to attract the world's top players for several years and it is difficult for them to compete financially with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

However, he says the club can still win trophies and suggested that next season could be an important one for Liverpool.

He said: "I think the problem that Liverpool have now is one they've had for a while - and Liverpool fans hate me for saying this but it's true.

"If the best players in the world are coming to England, they're not coming to Liverpool. It's a fact.

"They're going to go to Chelsea, they're going to go to Manchester United and they're going to go to Arsenal, apart from Torres and that's because of the relationship and the Spanish thing.

"So what do they do? Do they buy players which are as good as what they have but aren't going to improve them? Or do they not spend the money?

"Because they're under pressure to spend money, what you do is you spend money and you don't really increase the quality.

"You're under pressure to spend money and buy players so you pay £20million for Aquilani, who may be a decent player but has been injured.

"What they have to do is they have to galvanise themselves, come together and say 'maybe we haven't got the best players, but we can still achieve'.

"It's a difficult thing. How often are we going to say it's a transitional period because a transitional period is every other year - and it shouldn't be.

"But it's a big season for Liverpool maybe this year. Depending on where they finish, next season's going to be a big season."

Drought

Barnes played in Liverpool's last league-winning team in 1990, but says supporters shouldn't be surprised at Liverpool's title drought.

He pointed to various example of teams falling from grace throughout football history and said any club can slip from the top if they do not continually strive to improve.

"That's football," Barnes concluded.

"You have to keep your eye on the prize and you have to be focused because it can easily happen.

"You look at the history of football and you look at great clubs like Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers. These were the top clubs.

"I'm not saying Liverpool are going to go like they have gone, but nevertheless, particularly nowadays when money is so important, you really have to try and keep in the top four and try and push on every year.

"Last year they finished second and it hasn't happened this year, but Liverpool are still a huge football club.

"They'll be in the top four no matter what."