Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has said it was a mistake for the club not to sign either Aurélien Tchouaméni or Eduardo Camavinga.
The Real Madrid midfielders were heavily linked with Liverpool in the summer but neither made the move.
Hamann said that the club should have gone all out to bring in one of the French internationals during the transfer window.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp fumes on touchline as X-rated message sent after Liverpool controversy
READ MORE: Noel Gallagher names big difference between Liverpool and Arsenal after Man City win
“I look at Camavinga and Tchouaméni, I think one of these two players, they had to try their utmost to sign them. They didn't, for whatever reason, because the funds weren't there or they didn't want to.”
The pair have made a total of 57 appearances for the Spanish giants this season whilst Liverpool’s ageing midfield has seen frequent rotation after being decimated by injuries.
Hamann fears that even if Liverpool can strengthen their midfield this summer through the addition of players such as Mason Mount or Declan Rice, it will take time for them to settle.
“I don't expect Liverpool to hit the ground running next season," he told AceOdds.com.
“It won't be straight forward if people think, oh, we’ll bring Mount or maybe Rice, or bring this player in, Gravenberch. When we’ve got these players, when these players come into a settled side, it takes time to adapt.
And on Liverpool's decision to withdraw from the race to sign Jude Bellingham, he added: "You need to see how much money they've got to spend.
"If you've got, I don't know, they probably need £200/£250 million in the summer, and I'm not even sure that Klopp will get that amount of money.
"Now, if you were to get it, you've got to set half the money away apart for Jude Bellingham. As I said, they probably need five or six players in the summer. So to spend half the money, even more of the budget, on one player, I don't think is a wise move. He's a very talented player. I think he's got a long way to go.
"I think it was right (not pursuing Jude Bellingham). The only question is where did all that talk come from that Liverpool wants him or is in for him or saved the money last season? I'm not sure that it's ever been the case.
"But I think if they haven't got the funds, which they haven't, to compete with some of the clubs in England and also in France maybe or Spain, I think it was the right move."
Liverpool are up to sixth in the league after winning their last three games, six points behind fourth placed Manchester United who have two games in hand.
Even if Liverpool can do the unthinkable and win their six remaining games, Hamann believes Champions League football may still be out of reach.
“Now, I can't see it [getting top four]. I hope they can. But even if they win all the games from now, that might not be enough.
“I know they've done it in the past, but they've probably been in a different vein of form, so I can't really see it.”
READ NEXT
- Singapore £560bn sovereign wealth fund GIC not expected to invest in Liverpool
- Jurgen Klopp fumes on touchline as X-rated message sent after Liverpool controversy
- Liverpool Champions League route - predict final six games
- Noel Gallagher names big difference between Liverpool and Arsenal after Man City win
- Ian Wright names Liverpool player who put on a 'masterclass' in West Ham win
