Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher insists that his former club's sobering defeat to Real Madrid must be the catalyst for change as at least four first-team players are needed.
The Reds' midfield has become a topic of frequent conversation during this season's struggles. However, Carragher believes that the mistakes that gifted Madrid a 5-2 win in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night suggested there is another huge area of concern.
"Some of the players there tonight... Listen, we've all had bad nights, real bad nights as players and maybe I shouldn't kick someone while he's down - I'm sure he [Joe Gomez] feels terrible," Carragher said speaking to CBS Sports Golazo.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp has a Liverpool partnership he may need to break up for good
READ MORE: Liverpool's summer transfer shopping list just has just added a new position
"But Liverpool, we keep talking about midfielder players, that's right, I think they need defenders as well. When they get exposed, they can't defend.
The 45-year-old added: "We can't say how great this team has been for five years then saying they're wrong to do that thing. My point is that, they're trying to play Jurgen Klopp football without players who can play Jurgen Klopp football and that is some players who have been brought in but also some players who are there now who have just come in. I would never criticise those players because they've done their job for Liverpool over the last four or five years.
"The one most people talk about is probably Jordan Henderson, we all know there's reinforcements needed in midfield and that man gets criticism from Liverpool fans, he shouldn't. He's done his job, he come in at 21, he's now 32 he's lifted every trophy. The fact that he's still having to play week in, week out means there's been mismanagement off the pitch.
"This team has come to an end, Klopp built a team when that they were seventh or eighth and that team over the next four or five years was amazing. He needs to be allowed to do that again, when you lose 5-2 at home in the Champions League, this has to stop, they have to start again.
"Liverpool at times before the World Cup felt they needed a midfield player or two midfield players, the more you watch this Liverpool team, you're thinking I think it's more four to go into the team, not just the squad."
READ NEXT:
Liverpool taught brutal £123m lesson by three transfers and fourth could be even worse
Jurgen Klopp faces major Naby Keita call as Liverpool consider forward overhaul
- Alisson Becker lashes out as Liverpool send Real Madrid and UEFA clear message
- Luka Modric sends classy six-word message to Liverpool fans after Anfield ovation
Everton and Liverpool hit with different fines after Merseyside derby brawl
