IN A VERDICT which does not present the Liverpool squad in a positive light, Phil Thompson says Jurgen Klopp has a weakness in every position.
The Reds’ 3-1 defeat at Leicester City on Monday came as a huge frustration to Thompson, formerly an Anfield player as well as assistant and caretaker manager.
He believes manager Klopp has a huge task on his hands to reshape the Liverpool squad, which he feels has a poor attitude and needs a presence comparable to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
“Liverpool need to spend big in the summer and replace the spine of the team, which is a top goalkeeper, a top defender, a central midfielder with some bite and a quality striker,” Thompson said to Sky Sports.
“We need a bit of attitude and aggression, a bit of a nark in central midfield if you want — a Graeme Souness or, dare I say it, a Roy Keane.
We are top of the ‘big-six league’ but poor mentality and attitude and complacency is what you would associate with Liverpool.
“You just know Liverpool will turn up and be absolutely fantastic [against Arsenal on Saturday] and we will be asking why, why oh why, has that happened again?
“The players don’t have it in them to win ugly. When we win, we win beautifully.
You look at the results, certainly away from home, as it showed against Leicester, we are not designed to take the game to the opposition. Once a team sits in we don’t know how to break them down.”
“We must stand up, be counted and take responsibility.”
Thompson wants to see some major spending in the transfer market, with Liverpool on a run of just one win in seven Premier League games.
He continued: “I think since Klopp has been there we have been in profit for transfers so there should be some money in the kitty.
Raheem Sterling is the main one who has been sold and we have got a lot of players off the wage bill.
“If Daniel Sturridge leaves in the summer, which looks the case if he isn’t playing, it wouldn’t be a massive sum but we have got to spend big on a replacement.”
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On the button I’d say?
Every team needs a Roy Keane! Pundits these days getting paid for nothing.
Spot on!!
Its a burden to support Liverpools
More high and lows than a drug addict
Something radical has to be done
Listened to a radio discussion and agree that they would be better off spending big on a big player rather than buying 5 average Southampton nearly rans
Liverpool almost won the premiership with 1 top class player …. Swarez
Well said Tony. They have often identified good targets but dont seen to do enough to land them. Sanchez went to Arsenal and Willian to Chelsea would be two examples. They appeared to be in there first with both players but spent too long negotiating and allowed other teams to swoop.
No Dan,
Neither had any intention of going to Liverpool. Why would they join a club that hasn’t won the league in 27 years? Delusional comment.
You support Liverpool man not Blackpool or Coventry..
Makes the highs even sweeter in my opinion though, We will come again. We have needed a Midfield going on 6/7 years, Got away with it when we had Luis, Played the ball in behind.
Liverpool had an amazing midfield 10 years ago should of been winning leagues then.. Alonso for me is a true great of the game amazing that Liverpool tried to force him out for Barry..
@Thommo’s Big Nose: Willian was going to highest Bidder. As for Sanchez, not sure what happened, it was down to his wife….. not about the club…. glamour lifestyles is important to these guys these days….
Sanchez didn’t even consider Liverpool remember Liverpool wanted him in swap with Suarez and Sanchez was having none of it..
@Irishoversea: Sanchez had a quite a few talks with Ian Ayre back then. Negotiations took place, but at end of the day, he simply wanted London.
“We are top of the big six league”. As soon as I read that it was over.
I wouldn’t see jurgen Klopp going 290 days unbeaten with Celtic
They could also do with a Messi, a Suarez, a Kante, a Paul McGrath, a Roberto Carlos an Ollie Kahn, a sense of purpose……….
Begovic. Van Dyck. Ryan Bertrand. Naingallon. William from Sporting. And Lacazzette. Spend 150 on them and recoup about 40 from Sturridge. Lucas. Moreno. Klavan. Mignolet. Can. Squad reshaped with power skill and fight. Simple.
Just buy Southampton instead be cheaper in long run..
Begovic is the big one Marcus. Way too good to be warming a bench and should be Liverpools primary target. Feck Sturridge off too is a must.
Definitely Nollaig. I only hope Klopp doesn’t start this Wenger policy of not been able to see what everyone else can. Love Sturridge some abilitie but the injuries. Jeez Louise . Take what we can and go and get a Lacazzette. Griezman looking like he United bound so i think i big statement has to be made. He has literally spent SFA
@Irishoversea: That has not worked out well for Man Utd either….
What hasn’t ?
@Irishoversea: Buying southampton players.
United have bought 2 in the last few years Liverpool have bought 5 and now the person above is suggesting another 2.. Don’t think that’s the same..
Shaw will work out for united . Has the potential to be one of worlds best lb and uniteds lb for next 10 years . May not look great for him at the moment but feels similar to mkyhtarian situation , seeing if he can work his way back physically and if he has mental bottle to be at the worlds biggest club !
Can’t see him getting on at real Madrid to be honest
Good man Niall, so if he lays off the ham sandwiches for ten mins, AND regains his fitness AND if he has the bottle, he could turn into a player. So you’re sayin there’s a chance?!
Joe hart for starters. Also nianggolan from Roma. And grab big Virgil from the saints too.