Pepe Reina feels Liverpool are three years away from challenging for the title, with the keeper claiming they are paying the price for a lack of invention.
The Reds have spent huge sums in the past 12 months in a bid to make up ground on the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. They have shown signs of promise under Kenny Dalglish, but halfway through the season they are five points shy of the fourth place which would bring Champions League qualification.
Liverpool are a mammoth 18 points behind leaders City and Reina feels it will be some time before the Reds are in a position to push for the title.
"I think it will be two or three more years before we are ready to challenge for the Premier League or Champions League again," Reina told the Daily Mirror. "Hopefully it will be as soon as possible but we are within touching distance of the Carling Cup final.
"We have not won a trophy since 2006 and it is very important to the club to collect some silverware this season," Reina said ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final, second leg with Manchester City. "At Liverpool, winning trophies is vital and we have a great chance of doing that in the Carling Cup.
"Of course, we are still working hard to qualify for the Champions League next season but we know it will be difficult. Liverpool is a club that is used to winning."
Reina feels Dalglish has got Liverpool on an upward curve but claims they are lacking a bit of creative spark.
The Spain international said: "We are a good team, especially tactically, but perhaps we have lacked a little imagination to win enough matches.
"We have failed to finish off games and dropped points in matches Liverpool would expect to win.
"On our day, we are a match for any team and we have the players. But we must show more quality. This is what the history of Liverpool demands."
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