Souness tells Klopp to axe four Liverpool stars as club’s situation is becoming ‘more worrying’

Lewis Oldham
Souness on Liverpool

Graeme Souness has told Jurgen Klopp that he should axe four Liverpool players as they look to overcome their terrible start to the 2022/23 season.

The Reds did remarkably well to take the Premier League title race to the final day last season although they ultimately fell short.

Liverpool were expected to challenge once again this season but their hopes of winning the Premier League are already over this term.

A disappointing first few months in 2022/23 leaves them sixth in the table. They are already 16 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

Klopp’s side face a serious battle to qualify for the Champions League as fourth-placed Man Utd are seven points clear of their rivals.

Liverpool’s mission was not helped by their shock 3-1 defeat away at Brentford earlier this week.

They struggled to cope with the Bees and the London outfit often caused them problems with set-pieces. The scoreline certainly did not flatter Brentford as they continued their fine form.

Souness thinks Liverpool’s situation is a “bit more worrying right now”.

‘Jurgen Klopp’s reaction towards officials this season is borne more out of frustration,’ Souness wrote for The Daily Mail.

‘Monday’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford has left Liverpool 16 points off the top. I never would have believed that approaching the halfway stage.

‘I thought this group of players had the belief they were good enough and it would only be a matter of time before they got their act together. It is a bit more worrying right now. It does not appear to be a blip, and Jurgen will be feeling that.

‘His players are starting to argue among themselves, which isn’t a bad thing in isolation. But as they used to say to us: ‘Look in the mirror first, son, before you start pointing the finger at anyone else.’’

The pundit has also called for Klopp to axe Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Harvey Elliott and Fabinho.

‘The club is desperately crying out for some big personalities and strong characters to pull the lesser lights through this difficult time. The high intensity that has defined their team is no longer there,’ Souness added.

‘Jurgen said very early on that he did not think they needed anything extra in midfield. I have insisted all along that they did.

‘Thiago is a silky footballer but can’t do the pressing. Jordan Henderson does not have the energy he once did. Harvey Elliott would be better coming into a team that is winning. And Fabinho has been a good player, but he has always been no more than just a steady player for me.’

Liverpool’s midfield is clearly their weak point and they are set to strengthen in that area of the pitch later this year.

Jude Bellingham is one of their main targets but they are also being linked with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

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