Liverpool legend John Barnes says his old club are FIVE YEARS away from competing for the top four.
The once-great power is struggling to hang on to the coat-tails of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.
And Barnes said: "When people talk about Liverpool being a top-four club, what they mean is they may finish fourth.
"They're too far behind for it to be a quick fix. Brendan Rodgers needs a four or five-year plan to let him get the building blocks in place to be up there.
"Rodgers is a very good manager but it's difficult for him to compete. He may want to bring young players through but Man City can buy the best in the world. So it's going to be difficult for Liverpool."
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