Liverpool legend John Barnes believes that finishing without a trophy this season would not be a failure.

The Reds are challenging for the Premier League, where they are level on points with Manchester City at the top. They are also in the Champions League, where they face Bayern Munich in the round of 16.

But Barnes believes that despite Liverpool's massive summer spending, a season without a trophy is not failure.

"The season would not at all be a failure if Liverpool weren't to win anything," Barnes said to BonusCodeBets.co.uk.

"I would rather finish second in the league – five or six points off the top – and not win the Champions League, than win the Champions League but be 20 points off the top.

"That shows the team you are, in terms of consistency week in, week out.

"Winning the cups, but being 20 or so points off the top, shows an inconsistent team. You can win the Champions League by luck when you look at teams like Porto that have won in the past.

"If you're four or five points off the top, you're consistently challenging each week – you're performing in a good manner.

"It's always about how close you can get to the top of the league, for me, showing the team you are domestically."