John Barnes: 'Liverpool can't compete with top clubs for best players'

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has called on the club's fans to lower their expectations because they can no longer sign "the best in the world".

The Reds have begun rebuilding for next season by signing James Milner and Danny Ings, but Barnes has advised the Anfield supporters to be realistic in terms of expectations and recruitment.

Barnes told talkSPORT: "The expectation levels will have to drop. It's not so much who they need, it's what they can get. They aren't going to be able to go out and get a [Karim] Benzema. They can't get the best in the world.

"Liverpool can't compete with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United from a salary perspective so they are going to have to maybe find another [Philippe] Coutinho."

Brendan Rodgers's side slumped to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League this season after coming within touching distance of the title the year before.