Liverpool need to win the title on a consistent basis if they are to be considered as one of the best sides in the Premier League era, insists Paul Ince.
Jurgen Klopp's grand plan at Anfield started reaping its rewards after the Reds became champions of Europe last summer and are now within touching distance of winning their first ever Premier League title, having created a 25-point gap at the top of the table.
Should the current campaign resume, the Reds will only need two more wins to clinch the title having dominated the English top flight in emphatic fashion.
However, while it cannot be denied that Liverpool have been impressive both this season and the previous campaign, Ince believes Klopp's men need to keep this up for years to come to be compared to the league's great sides of yesteryear.
'It is tough to say that [they are among the best] but I think what Liverpool have done has been a great achievement,' Ince told Goal. 'I think the quality of the Premier League hasn't been what it has been [previously].
'Are they a great team? I wouldn't say they are; you have to win it season after season. I think they have got the talent and the manager to become a great team. Great teams keep winning. If they win it this year and next year, then we can start calling it a great team.
'Like that Man City team, that's a great team. Liverpool have been good in the last two years but they need to keep winning things before we say it is a great team. You go back to other great teams.
'I say Arsenal Invincibles, those Man United teams and Liverpool teams that kept winning things constantly. European Cups in Liverpool's case. For United, it was doubles, trebles and league titles.
'Chelsea's team with Drogba, Terry and Lampard was a great team. Liverpool needs to continue to become a great team.'
Ince made 81 appearances for Liverpool across two seasons in the late 90s having enjoyed greater success at fierce rivals Manchester United in the years before.