Club icon John Barnes has urged Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to focus on strengthening his squad depth this summer.
Liverpool achieved a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League this season, earning a return to the Champions League after their one-year absence.
However, Klopp’s side made a tough time of their bid to finish in the top four, having often been restricted to the bare bones due to injuries.
Therefore, Barnes, who made 403 appearances at Anfield, believes Klopp needs to prioritise increasing squad numbers this summer if the club are to stand any chance of competing in Europe next term.
He told the Daily Star: “Well they need numbers because if you look at our bench, we haven’t had a squad. I’d much rather we just get quality players in any position.
“I think our top 11 is good enough to compete, as we’ve seen, but we’re still quite bare in having a depth of quality. Ultimately, I’d look at the left-back position. [Liverpool also need] a striker and another defender.”
Klopp lost the likes of Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to setbacks all at the same time, while Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge have also struggled with injuries this term.
The absence of his more regular stars has seen Klopp turn to several of Liverpool’s promising young academy talents, including Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
They have impressed since being thrown in at the deep-end, but as Barnes suggests, they will need more reinforcements as backup for their upcoming European campaign.
He also recommended Klopp move for a left-back, a striker and another defender, three positions which have caused considerable concern over the course of the season.
Sturridge’s lack of match fitness has seen Klopp’s centre-forward options limited this term, with Coutinho finishing as the club’s top goalscorer with 14 goals.
Klopp has already revealed he is looking for a swift resolution to his summer transfer business, with a number of rumoured targets having already been speculated.