Georginio Wijnaldum believes Liverpool must be realistic over their title ambitions given the gulf between themselves and champions Manchester City last season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side finished 25 points behinds Pep Guardiola’s men, but did show glimpses of what they are capable of, not least in the Champions League.
They beat City over two legs on their way to reaching the final and their start to this season, which has seen them win each of their opening four matches, has started talk of a Premier League push.
Georginio Wijnaldum believes Liverpool must manage expectations in their search for a trophy
However, Wijnaldum insists that, while confidence is high, expectations have to managed.
‘Maybe what is expected is too much,’ Wijnaldum told The Telegraph. ‘We were not really in a competition with Man City in the Premier League last season. When you are 25 points behind, it is not competing.
‘But all I can tell you as a player is I am happy when a player like Virgil [van Dijk] signs and walks into the dressing room because then you think, ‘yeah, we can really achieve something with this team’.
‘We are doing everything we can. I can only say we hope to do it. There is no point going through this season saying, ‘come on, come on, we have to win something, we have to win something’.
Wijnaldum and Liverpool have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, winning four from four
‘We need to do the right things to get us into that position, to give us that chance. Looking too far ahead is a mistake.’
Liverpool are looking to end a trophy drought which dates back to 2012, when they lifted the League Cup under Kenny Dalglish.
They came close to ending that wait last season, but were beaten in the Champions League final by Real Madrid.
And given the improvements made on the squad in the summer, with the likes of goalkeeper Alisson bolstering the defence, Wijnaldum acknowledges that they are in a strong position this year.
‘The reason everyone is saying it this year is because of the signings,’ he said.
The Holland international says the squad is stronger with additions such as Virgil Van Dijk
‘The expectation from outside is much bigger than previous years because we spent some money. We lost [Philippe] Coutinho [to Barcelona], but signed three or four top players.
‘If Chelsea did this, or Arsenal, I am sure it would be the same, people saying they must win. It is understandable people see this at Liverpool and have their opinion.
‘But it is also true we have been in a process. In the years before this no-one really spoke of us in this way. Now we have been really good in the Champions League so we tasted success a bit.
‘You could see the manager and players were full of energy when they came back from vacation — even those who were at the World Cup. After reaching the final we want more.’