Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher feels the Reds should focus on establishing themselves as a Champions League outfit over the next few seasons before they can mount a real title challenge.
The Reds were in the hunt at the turn of the year after a mightily-impressive start to the campaign, but a nightmare January quickly derailed their title bid.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have struggled without the likes of Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho at times this season, exposing a lack of depth.
Until these weaknesses are rectified, Carragher argues, Liverpool’s title drought will go on, particularly with some of their rivals far stronger in the financial department.
“I think Liverpool have got the sixth-best squad in the league so to be in the top four would be a very good season,” Carragher, who played over 700 games for the Reds, told Four Four Two.
“At the moment, I don’t think they’ve got enough to challenge for the league. You saw the reasons why they fell away in the middle of the season – they didn’t have reinforcements, especially when Sadio Mane was gone for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It’s very difficult; they don’t have the revenue to compete with the others, it will be a building process. It won’t be a case of splashing the cash and going for the league next season.
“I think it will have to be a gradual improvement similar to when I was playing under Houllier and Benitez, when we built to a title challenge. We never quite pulled it off, but we came very close on a couple of occasions.”
However, the Englishman is confident his former club will be able to truly compete by the end of the decade, provided they continue to progress under Jurgen Klopp.
“If Liverpool can get into the top four for three or four years on the bounce, then that would be a major achievement,” he added. “You cement your position in there and then maybe think, ‘OK, let’s go for the title’.
“Klopp has signed a contract for five or six years and I’m sure each year he’d be looking for progression, so maybe after another good two or three years Liverpool should have a great chance.”
