Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has claimed that the club's current centre-backs are not good enough.
The Reds' defensive frailties have been exposed a number of times in recent weeks, with the failure to keep a clean sheet in their last seven outings contributing to a run of just one win in that time.
Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have both been questioned in the midst of that poor form, and Redknapp believes that Liverpool are paying the price for failing to bring in Virgil van Dijk during the summer transfer window.
"The real issue is that Liverpool's centre-backs are not good enough. Klopp will back his players to the hilt but there is a reason he tried to splash out £60m to land Virgil van Dijk," Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail.
"It is no surprise [Jurgen] Klopp keeps tinkering with his back four and goalkeeper. He is searching for something that is not there.
"The defenders would be helped if there was somebody like Fernandinho in midfield to smell danger and put out fires. Look at the last two title-winning teams — Leicester had N'Golo Kante and Chelsea had Kante and Nemanja Matic. Where is that player at Anfield?"
Liverpool have conceded 12 goals in their seven Premier League games this season - only West Ham United and Crystal Palace have let in more.
