Our aim are to be like Barca - Enrique

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has set Barcelona as the benchmark for the Reds, claiming that they want to be at the same level as the Spanish giants.



Enrique is well aware of Liverpool’s glorious history and even as recently as 2009, under Rafael Benitez, the Reds were ranked as the number one side in Europe by UEFA.



Since then however they have suffered a remarkable fall from grace and now find themselves battling for a spot in the Europa League knockout phase this evening against Udinese.



But Enrique has more ambitions than just the Europa League, even if he admits to enjoying the competition, with the Spaniard’s long-term aim to help Liverpool once again become one of the biggest clubs in Europe, just like Barcelona, a side he has compared to the Reds.



"Liverpool before were like Barcelona now", he told his club’s official site.



"They were the best team and won five Champions Leagues.



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"Of course we are not at that level now and it is impossible to compare but this is where we want to be."



And Enrique believes that Liverpool have the right manager in Brendan Rodgers to make it happen, and the Northern Irishman just needs to be given money to spend to do the job.



"We have the right manager, the right players and with money to spend from the owners I hope we can be there as quickly as possible to be able to compete for these kind of title."



Enrique has seen himself pushed into a more attacking role under Rodgers of late, leaving his usual left-back position.



He will hope to be an attacking threat against Udinese this evening.