Dietmar Hamann has criticised Liverpool's failure to sign a suitable central midfielder in the summer following their disappointing start to the season.
The Reds are ninth in the Premier League table after winning just four of their first 12 fixtures. Jurgen Klopp's side find themselves 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, 13 points adrift of Manchester City in second and eight points behind Newcastle in fourth.
Hamann's comments will not be welcomed Klopp, who provided a brutal response when asked about the retired midfielder's opinion earlier this month. The Liverpool manager sarcastically called Hamann a "fantastic source" that's "well respected everywhere".
"Liverpool are 14 or 15 points behind the top of the table now and I don't think that one player makes up that many points," Hamann told BoyleSports. "Danny Murphy is right to suggest Declan Rice is a very capable player but I think it depends on how Fabinho comes back into the season because he's been really disappointing but he's a really brilliant player.
"I would like Liverpool to sign someone a bit more adventurous, someone like Joelinton from Newcastle who has a physical presence can get you a goal and he has the full package. A player like him would suit Liverpool down to the ground. I think getting a player of his quality in January is near enough impossible and that should've been done in the summer."
Liverpool did sign a central midfielder in the summer in Arthur Melo, who arrived on a season-long loan from Juventus on deadline day. Yet the Brazil international has played just 13 minutes of football for Klopp's side and will not feature again until 2023 due to injury.
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Klopp will be hoping not to be asked about Hamann's latest comments in his next press conference. The ex-Germany international, who won the 2005 Champions League at Liverpool, insisted Klopp's side needed a "spark" following their poor start to the season.
"This Liverpool team looks tired, they look pedestrian and they just look flat," said Hamann. "I’m not sure where the spark is going to come from because they’ve won games in the past. They beat Rangers a few days ago but they’re obviously far superior to Rangers.
"I trust that they’ll know where the spark is going to come from but whether it’s the end of an era? I wouldn’t write them off, but my imagination doesn’t let me see where the spark is going to come from in the next few weeks."
The Reds boss was asked about Hamann's "spark" phrase by a reporter, who received an angry response. "Do me a favour and ask your own question," Klopp replied - insisting Hamann is not allowed to say what he wants about his team because of his Liverpool links.
When asked about Klopp's frosty response, Hamann said: "It's about the matter for me - It's obvious that there are problems in Liverpool at the moment.
"Klopp may see it differently and if he thinks I’m talking nonsense, then he should say so. I have no problem with that at all, you have to respect other opinions - and that’s why I didn't really understand what he said yesterday."
