Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (Getty)

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says a top four finish is the best his former team can hope for in the near future.

The former midfielder says Jurgen Klopp’s side cannot compete with the financial power of Manchester City and can forget about winning the title any time soon.

His brutal comments come with the Reds trailing Man City by 12 points in the Premier League table prior to their meeting with Tottenham at Wembley.

‘Knowing how competitive it is now, I’d see being in the Champions League again next year as progress,’ Souness told BBC Radio 5.

‘You look at Man City and how can they compete with them financially?

‘I don’t think they will win the league any time soon.

‘As a supporter, I will be happy if they end up in the Champions League because that is how you attract better players and grow the club.’

Liverpool 2017/18 Fixtures

Brighton (H) - Sun May 13
Real Madrid (N) - Champions League -Sat May 26

Klopp is now two years into his Anfield tenure and with little progress seen in terms of trophies and league position, the pressure is growing on the German coach.

‘He’s got to start winning trophies and he knows that,’ said Souness. ‘That’s why he was hired.’

MORE : Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum suffers knee injury

MORE : Tottenham v Liverpool: Dele Alli returns, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on bench