Former goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has blamed the lack of investment in midfield for Liverpool's problems.
The Reds exited the Champions League on Wednesday as they failed to overturn the 5-2 aggregate score against Real Madrid from the first leg at Anfield. Karim Benzema inflicted further damage on the record as he tapped home in the second-half to put the tie completely out of reach with a 1-0 win on the night.
Jurgen Klopp opted to field four attackers and two midfielders, in James Milner and Fabinho, in his starting 11. Although chances fell to Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, they couldn't beat Thibaut Courtois.
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Ahead of this summer, a rebuild is on the cards as Liverpool are set to wave goodbye to the likes of Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Jude Bellingham has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield but the club could face competition from Madrid as well as Manchester City.
"Last year they won [three] trophies and only lacked the Champions League," Westerveld told Marca ahead of yesterday's match. "That may be the problem, they have played so many games and it may have cost them a lot of energy. The second reason is the injuries, not a year I remember with so many casualties.
"There were also new players, the forwards, who had to get used to Liverpool’s style. To all this, we must add that the owners haven’t bought a midfielder for four years, only Thiago.
"It’s a year that we have to forget. You never know with Liverpool, it’s a team that works miracles, but the goal is to finish fourth."
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