Liverpool legend John Barnes says he is “not interested” in cup games, and would prefer to see the Reds perform better in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side face Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final at the end of February, and are also still involved in the FA Cup and Europa League.
But Liverpool sit in eighth place in the league table, 11 points off the Champions League positions and 16 points behind surprise leaders Leicester City.
In an exclusive interview with Read Liverpool, Barnes explained why he considers the league more important.
He said: “If we win the cup, and we lose every game between now and the end of the season and finish 15th – is that success?
I’m not interested in cup matches, because in cup matches you can never tell how you’re going to do. You can be lucky in a cup match and win, whereas the league shows how strong you are.
“I’d much rather them be much more consistent in the league and not win a trophy, but, in saying that – because I know that we’re not going to be necessarily in the top four this season – I would take a trophy this season.”
The 52-year-old believes that the Reds will go into the Wembley clash with Manchester City as underdogs, and thinks that the battering Liverpool gave Manuel Pellegrini’s men at the Etihad Stadium in November will further motivate the Citizens.
“Man City are obviously going to be the favourites. More so because obviously we beat them 4-1 away so they’re going to be looking for revenge, as well as having great players.
“But it’s a one-off. Anything can actually happen.”
If the Reds were to see off City, it would be their first trophy for four years.
