94 Saturn SL1 won't start?

94 Saturn SL1 manual transmission. It acts like it wants to start but doesn't. 3 of the lifters were broke so replaced those, and still won't start. Car has been sitting for awhile, prior to not starting (bought from someone). It is getting a spark, and there is gas in it. Tried pop starting it and it acted like it almost wanted to start (kind of putted for a second) but did not start. Tried spraying starting fluid in the intake and just kind of puffed/putted. I was told it doesn't seem like it has compression (checked by feeling exhaust from backyard mechanic). What could be wrong?