Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has suggested that the club's transfer policy is to be blamed for the team's form this season and not manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds boss has come under fire after seeing his side win just two of their opening six Premier League games, which leaves them 13th in the table, while they needed penalties to overcome League Two Carlisle United in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are reportedly "split down the middle" on whether to back the Northern Irishman or dismiss him, but Murphy has claimed that the criticism of Rodgers is not entirely fair.

"I've harped on about the recruitment at Liverpool, and it's killed Brendan at times, really," he told talkSPORT.

"I think he's taken the backlash for the owners and the transfer committee. Yes, he has a say, I'm sure he has an influence with certain players, but I'm sure there are other times where he's told, 'no you can't have him'.

"He's been outspoken in the past of his admiration for Ashley Williams at Swansea, but he wasn't within Liverpool's criteria."

Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and ex-Borussia Dortmund man Jurgen Klopp have been linked with the manager's role at Anfield.