As a mainstay of Liverpool's last title-chasing team, Glen Johnson is well-positioned to make comparisons with the current crop.
But the former Reds full-back admits it's difficult to know whether Jurgen Klopp and co will go one better than 2013-14's heartbreaking second-placed finish in the coming months.
As was the case five years ago, Liverpool are locked in a tight battle with Manchester City for top domestic honours this term, with just two points separating the teams at this late stage.
And Johnson is hoping his former side can avoid another near-miss this time around to end the club's 29-year title drought.
He said: "To say better equipped is kind of difficult, you don’t really know. We were good enough to win that league as well that season but unfortunately we fell a step short. Hopefully these guys can dig in and take that one step further.
"I think both teams will drop points. City have got the squad to cope with a heavy schedule but I think Liverpool need to just focus on themselves the way they have been and fingers crossed City will drop more points than them.
"It's much easier to watch when they’re playing well and winning most weeks. It’s been enjoyable and fingers crossed they can get over the line."
Johnson's equivalent in this season's team is fellow marauding right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has cemented himself as a key man since emerging from the club's academy.
Asked about the Scouse defender, he said: "He’s got bundles of potential to improve.
"He’s only 20 years old so he’s far from the finished article and what he can become from the position he’s in now is exciting.
"[The full backs] are two key players for the way they play at the moment so fingers crossed they stay fit and healthy and keep performing the way they are."
Released by Stoke City last summer, Johnson officially brought an end to a 16-year professional career when he announced his retirement from playing in January 2019.
On his future plans, he added: "Life is good. I’m enjoying everything every day, doing different things and enjoying the time to do different options that I didn’t have before.
"I don’t think I’ll get into coaching but I’ve done a bit of media lately and some of it I’ve enjoyed more than I thought I would so I might dip my toe into a few other random things and start to build a programme around that."
