Liverpool have been told they are in desperate need of "another £40m or £50m kind of player" to ease the goal-scoring burden on the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
The pair of Reds forwards have been unavailable to Jurgen Klopp for much of this month while they participate in the Africa Cup of Nations with their respective national sides.
Both Salah's Egypt and Mane's Senegal have progressed to the last eight of the tournament, ensuring yet another week away from Merseyside where Klopp would surely love to put them through their paces and turn their attention back to club matters.
While every member of the Anfield faithful would likely leap at the chance to have them both return immediately, Liverpool have surprised many with the quality of their performances in the absence of both.
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Barring the impotent display at home to Arsenal in the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Liverpool have found the net in every game since both Salah and Mane departed on international duty.
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has insisted that though he has been pleased with the attacking output without their talismanic duo, they still need to bolster their attacking options.
Speaking to BoyleSports, the Spaniard claimed: "I wasn’t positive before AFCON. I didn’t expect Liverpool to be as good as they have been without Salah and Mane.
"They lack strength in depth in the front three, so them going was a big problem for Liverpool. But Jota has stepped in, Firmino and Oxlade-Chamberlain too.
"But they still need someone else who can play in the front three similar to Jota, who’s scoring goals and doing well. Profile-wise, Liverpool need another £40m or £50m kind of player to support the front three now.
"I’m sure if you ask any Liverpool fan they would say the same thing."
There are just days left of the January transfer window and Enrique has explained how he thinks this month will pass the Reds by without any new arrivals.
"The worst moment for Liverpool has gone. When Mane and Salah are back, they will be thinking ‘why would we want to go and sign someone now.’"
The ex-Reds full-back did go on to concede he harbours some concerns over Salah's current contract situation.
"I wasn’t worried about Salah’s contract in the summer but now, with only one year left at the end of the season, he doesn’t look any closer to signing.
"Obviously we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. I am worried because with any player of his quality, if you say you’re not going to pay him the money you then have to go and find a player of his quality to buy and pay their wages.
Enrique urged the club to fork out whatever they can to ensure Salah remains at Anfield for the foreseeable.
"He’s the best player in the world, so it’s better to pay him more while they have him.
"He knows the style of Klopp, he’s happy at the club. It’s fair from Salah, no one can blame him.
"The fans are very hard on the players in this situation but you have to give him what he wants because he deserves it."
