Jose Reina has called for patience over Liverpool's prospects of challenging for honours this season.
And the Reds keeper believes matters may not alter until the club's ownership situation is resolved. Roy Hodgson's side failed to impress in their goalless draw at Birmingham on Sunday when only a fine display by Reina denied the home side victory.
They are already seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea after just four matches and face an uphill battle to reclaim a Champions League spot. Reina said: "We have to make sure that people don't think of winning the league or being in the top four already at this moment. It is going to take a while. We have got to get used to the new players and then the system."
He added: "There are many good teams and our target is to be up there but we have to be realistic.
"Is a Champions League spot realistic this season? I don't know. We will find out at the end of the season what we can achieve.
"Of course, we have to challenge for being up there. Maybe it will take a while."
Reina added: "No-one has patience nowadays. We are just asking for a little bit.
"We did not spend much money and in football to compete with the others sometimes it is important to do it.
"We couldn't. We sold some players and we used the money for buying some others.
"It's going to be like this for a little while until we sort out the (owners) situation. All we believe is that we have to win the next game and game and after game and don't think about the end of the season."
Source: PA
