Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has voiced some big concerns about the club’s depth after their 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp fielded a weakened side against the Toffees with the game coming between their two Champions League quarter-final legs v Manchester City.
Sadio Mane was the only regular attacking option that started on Saturday, with Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings deputising for Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Fowler has now admitted his worry for Liverpool after they put in a disappointing performance without the duo, who have been in brilliant form this season.
In a column for the Mirror, Fowler said: “Jurgen Klopp will be seriously concerned by Liverpool’s lack of cutting-edge depth ahead of Tuesday’s season-defining clash with Manchester City. Without Mo Salah or Roberto Firmino, Liverpool were nowhere near sharp enough in the final third of the pitch. In fact, they were about as sharp as a Primark suit. It is, though, understandable.
“Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke have had hardly any game time this season, and have never really played together, certainly not in a game with this intensity. It was always going to be a big ask for them to reproduce Liverpool’s first-choice counter-attacking verve.
“Yet Klopp knows this lack of options is a real worry. All the top teams have strength in depth up front – I sometimes think Jose Mourinho at Manchester United is collecting forwards for his World Cup sticker album! Liverpool have a front three… and then nothing too obvious beyond that, with both Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge out on loan.”
OPINION
Fowler is right to voice his concerns here, as Liverpool did look very flat without Salah and Firmino. As he says, this is understandable, but what if either were to get injured? The Reds do notably lack a bit of depth in the attacking third, and that will be something that Klopp needs to fix this summer. Even teams like Spurs are now able to bring players like Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura off the bench, and the ability to do so will be massive when it comes to challenging for the title next season.