EXCLUSIVE

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Brendan Rodgers can steer the club back into the top four next season provided the Northern Irishman has a fully fit squad and is able to sign a number of players.

The Merseyside outfit endured a disappointing campaign last term finishing sixth in the Premier League table - eight points off fourth-placed Manchester United - and failing to progress past the group stages of the Champions League.

But Barnes, who spent a decade at Liverpool between 1987 and 1997, is confident the Reds can qualify for Europe's premier competition next term, although he concedes the club will struggle to attract the best players to Anfield this summer.

"The problem Liverpool have is that they can't compete with Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United or Arsenal," Barnes told Standard Sport.

"As much as they may sell [Raheem] Sterling and get £50 million, are they going to get a replacement like a [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo?"

Liverpool's top targets in the summer transfer window 3 show all Liverpool's top targets in the summer transfer window 1/3 Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon The 24-year-old French forward nearly fired a young Lyon side to the Ligue 1 crown with his return of 27 goals in 31 games. A pacey player who loves to take on the opposition he would be certain to thrill the Kop should he head for Anfield. Getty 2/3 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid Another ambitious target for FSG, but Liverpool are likely to be at the front of the queue if their former manager Rafa Benitez deems the French forward surplus to requirements. His signing would undoubtedly represent a statement of intent from the owners, but could they afford his £150,000-plus wages? Getty 3/3 Christian Benteke - Aston Villa A more realistic target than Benzema or Cavani, the Belgian striker's agent has already admitted his interest in a move to Anfield in a prank phone call. Should the real Rodgers choose to move for Benteke Villa will expect Liverpool to pay his £32.5 million buyout clause. Neville Williams/Getty 1/3 Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon The 24-year-old French forward nearly fired a young Lyon side to the Ligue 1 crown with his return of 27 goals in 31 games. A pacey player who loves to take on the opposition he would be certain to thrill the Kop should he head for Anfield. Getty 2/3 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid Another ambitious target for FSG, but Liverpool are likely to be at the front of the queue if their former manager Rafa Benitez deems the French forward surplus to requirements. His signing would undoubtedly represent a statement of intent from the owners, but could they afford his £150,000-plus wages? Getty 3/3 Christian Benteke - Aston Villa A more realistic target than Benzema or Cavani, the Belgian striker's agent has already admitted his interest in a move to Anfield in a prank phone call. Should the real Rodgers choose to move for Benteke Villa will expect Liverpool to pay his £32.5 million buyout clause. Neville Williams/Getty

"The answer is no. We have to try and improve the squad by buying players, but knowing we won't necessarily get the best players. That doesn't mean we can't be competitive, though.

"We need to get Daniel Sturridge fit and we have [Divock] Origi coming in and we've signed James Milner. Liverpool fans need to accept we aren't going to be able to compete to get the best players in the world.

"But that doesn't mean we can't be hopeful or positive. If Brendan Rodgers can get everyone fit, we can compete for fourth."

Liverpool have acted quickly to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign after confirming the free transfers of James Milner from Manchester City and Danny Ings from Burnley, both of whom will officially join the club on July 1.

One player, however, who could join captain Steven Gerrard in departing Liverpool in the coming months is Sterling, who has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea after rejecting a new £100,000 contract at Anfield earlier this year.

Although Barnes admitted it is possible that Rodgers may not be able to find a direct replacement for Sterling, the former Liverpool star insisted the England international's wages will help fund a transfer for an experienced player for the team.

"When we finished second in the league, we had [Luis] Suarez, [Daniel] Sturridge, Sterling and [Philippe] Coutinho," he said.

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"Last season without Sturridge and Suarez, we had two 20-year-olds in Sterling and Coutinho to take us where we want to be. But they are inexperienced and young.

"If we can sign some experienced players we can challenge for the top four.

"We won't replace Steven Gerrard and you may not even replace Sterling. But we have to buy players and change the way you play a little bit.

"Rodgers doesn't have to look for a direct replacement [for Sterling]. You have Coutinho and [Adam] Lallana but Liverpool can't replace him with a similar type of player."

When then asked if Liverpool fans would want the club to make a marquee signing this summer, Barnes replied: "Of course, and I think we will.

"It's easy to get players on a free transfer like James Milner. It's easy to get the easier players to sign but later we need to try and sign better players.

"We won't get Messi or Ronaldo, but we can look to get players who other teams won't want to spend £40m or £50m on. We have Sterling's transfer fee, his salary and Gerrard's salary to now add on for a star player."

John Barnes was speaking ahead of the Vitality SportFest run by SuperSkills Experiences, a unique business dedicated to providing legendary shared experiences by some of the biggest names in sport through holidays and events. To find out more about this family event and to buy tickets, click here.