Jamie Carragher has urged Jurgen Klopp to sign a 'Georginio Wijnaldum type' player to help fix his Liverpool midfield issues following their 3-1 defeat at Brentford.
The Reds' four game Premier League winning run came to a crushing end at the Brentford Community Stadium as an Ibrahima Konate own-goal and strikes from Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo handed Thomas Frank's side a deserved win. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored Liverpool's only goal of the game in the second-half as they missed the chance to close the gap on fourth-place Manchester United.
It was a dismal performance from Klopp's men, who were susceptible at the back, and looked like conceding every time Brentford went forward, especially from set pieces. However, the Reds were also at risk in transition on the counter attack and lacked legs to cover the ground in midfield with Jordan Henderson out through injury.
Liverpool have particularly struggled in midfield this season with Fabinho, Naby Keita and Thiago struggling with injuries, while Jordan Henderson and James Milner are entering the twilight of their careers. And Carragher has told Klopp to go out and sign a ball-winning, energetic type player who can change that midfield.
Carragher told Sky Sports: "People keep talking about Bellingham and rightly so - he’s going to be one of the best players in world football. If Liverpool don’t get top four then that is going to be a problem but for me, which is maybe as important as a Bellingham type if you can get him, would be a Wijnaldum type. That type of player who alongside a Fabinho can just protect that back four, and stop players running through towards that defence."
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He added: "When you look at the age profile of a lot of the players within the squad, they’ve got a lot of players in their 30s or coming into their 30s who’ve been great for the club, but that is one of the reasons why the ownership is up for sale, or they’re looking for investment, because Liverpool are going to need to go big in the summer.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could strengthen his squad this month (Getty Images)Who should Liverpool sign to solve their midfield problems? Have your say in the comments below.
"You look at what Chelsea and Man United spent in the summer, and they’re still not close to winning the title, so it shows you the kind of funds that you need to compete at the top of the league. Liverpool year-in year-out have sort of sold someone, bought someone, but I think this is a case of now Liverpool need to spend about £200million.
"I’m not saying that in terms of that’s the secret to success - there’s lots of teams who have shown that doesn’t necessarily work - but Liverpool need to sign maybe three midfield players, I would say. Not necessarily all to play, but Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, even James Milner, they’re all out of contract.
"The age of Thiago who is injured quite a lot, Henderson, Fabinho, I think Liverpool need three midfield players and when you’re talking about real quality you need at least £40-50 million on those types of players, I would imagine."
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