Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has warned the Reds their midfield must improve ahead of a trip to St James' Park later this month. Jurgen Klopp's side have won just twice since the Premier League restarted after the World Cup and are some way off the European places.
The German head coach says last season's quadruple push has taken its toll on the squad heading into the current campaign. Klopp has been outspoken about his side's spending ability, but have spent an estimated €137.30million since the summer.
Of course, they've recouped a large amount of transfer fees - around €80million - from selling assets in the summer, including Sadio Mane. The likes of Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Arthur are yet to hit the ground running, with Souness claiming the midfield is a problem area for the Reds, an area Newcastle and Eddie Howe can take advantage of.
READ MORE: Transfer dealmaker firms up AC Milan interest in Allan Saint-Maximin and why January move failed
Speaking to sky Sports, Souness said: "A year ago they should have been looking at midfield players to buy last summer. A year ago, this was starting to show itself, the midfield.
"The best midfield they had was Wijnaldum, Henderson and Milner - high energy, not technically brilliant, but just high energy and they bullied players. They won it high up and they’d give it to the lads, the front three, and they’d go from there.
"Theirs is not a problem that is easily solved right now because you’re looking at the midfield of Keita, the young Spanish boy and Thiago, and they’re getting bullied, and if you’re getting bullied in there you’re on the back foot most of the time."
Our 48-page Carabao Cup final special is available to pre-order now! Click HERE to get your copy as Newcastle United prepare for a historic day out at Wembley. Also available to purchase through local participating retailers from February 15.
READ NEXT
Anthony Gordon has just given Newcastle a glimpse of the future and what Declan Rice told him
Fuming Fabian Schar, Eddie Howe sends message to Newcastle players and 'magical' target hit
Eddie Howe sees 'top quality player' who will cost more than £107m after Newcastle performance
Newcastle have another Bruno Guimaraes solution and exciting Anthony Gordon glimpse - 5 things
Eddie Howe has an 'idea' of next Newcastle transfer as summer plans already start ramping up
