Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has called for the club to bring in "two or three" players who can go straight into next season's first team.

The Reds finished second in the Premier League, two points behind eventual champions Manchester City, and the former centre-back wants to see his old side strengthen in the transfer window.

He told Sky Sports News: "I think they can go on and challenge again, but a lot will depend on the recruitment and who they bring in.

"If they can get two or three quality players to go into the team, not the squad, then I think they can [challenge again]. I think they need two defenders, another midfielder, and I think they need to have two proper defenders.

"The modern game calls for ball-playing centre-backs and attacking full-backs, I think Liverpool have that in the squad. They need two defenders who just want to defend and I think if they get that they could go again."

Carragher retired at the end of the 2012-2013 season after 737 appearances for the Anfield outfit.