Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists that the club can only be judged by how much silverware they have claimed come the end of the season.
The Reds stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Stoke last weekend and will be forced into second place for the first time in more than a month if Manchester United can claim three points on Saturday.
As a result, many are predicting that Liverpool's early season form will peter out over the final months of the Premier League campaign, but Reina is adamant that no judgments should be made until May.
"The end of the season is the best time to analyse the players and the team. Then we will have the trophies on our side - or they will be on the other side," the Spaniard told The Daily Express.
"It is important to win a trophy this season. If it can be the league then that would be unbelievable."
However, standing in the immediate way for Reina's side are consecutive Merseyside derbies that could well prove vital to Liverpool's hopes of silverware.
"These games against Everton are like two finals. In the one we fight for the cup, but the league game is a final too," added the keeper.
"We have to win. We cannot drop any more points at home. That will be difficult, but that has to be or target."
Though one man determined to undo The Reds' title hopes will be Reina's old friend Mikel Arteta, who has proved to be Everton's star player so far this season.
The two players used to bunk together as youngsters at Barcelona's academy, but, despite a close friendship, the Liverpool stopper expects that there will be no love lost when they meet on the pitch.
"He knows, and I know, that if he has to punish me with a free-kick or penalty he will do it. If I can save it I will," Reina added.
"Mikel looks out for his team and I will do the same. For 90 minutes we will not be friends."
Meanwhile, the Reds have offered Swedish midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic his first professional contract after impressing in the Liverpool under-18 team.
Kacaniklic was brought into the Reds Academy in the summer of 2007 from Helsingborg and has now signed a deal with the league leaders which runs until June 2010.
The Reds stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Stoke last weekend and will be forced into second place for the first time in more than a month if Manchester United can claim three points on Saturday.
As a result, many are predicting that Liverpool's early season form will peter out over the final months of the Premier League campaign, but Reina is adamant that no judgments should be made until May.
"The end of the season is the best time to analyse the players and the team. Then we will have the trophies on our side - or they will be on the other side," the Spaniard told The Daily Express.
"It is important to win a trophy this season. If it can be the league then that would be unbelievable."
However, standing in the immediate way for Reina's side are consecutive Merseyside derbies that could well prove vital to Liverpool's hopes of silverware.
"These games against Everton are like two finals. In the one we fight for the cup, but the league game is a final too," added the keeper.
"We have to win. We cannot drop any more points at home. That will be difficult, but that has to be or target."
Though one man determined to undo The Reds' title hopes will be Reina's old friend Mikel Arteta, who has proved to be Everton's star player so far this season.
The two players used to bunk together as youngsters at Barcelona's academy, but, despite a close friendship, the Liverpool stopper expects that there will be no love lost when they meet on the pitch.
"He knows, and I know, that if he has to punish me with a free-kick or penalty he will do it. If I can save it I will," Reina added.
"Mikel looks out for his team and I will do the same. For 90 minutes we will not be friends."
Meanwhile, the Reds have offered Swedish midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic his first professional contract after impressing in the Liverpool under-18 team.
Kacaniklic was brought into the Reds Academy in the summer of 2007 from Helsingborg and has now signed a deal with the league leaders which runs until June 2010.
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