Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch agree that Liverpool need to “freshen up” their squad after watching them beat Napoli.
The Reds claimed a 2-0 win over the Italian outfit in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The victory saw Liverpool finish level on points with Napoli in Group, but end up in second place behind the Serie A leaders.
Jurgen Klopp ’s side went into the game against Napoli on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leeds United in the Premier League. It was a second consecutive loss in the top flight, following on from a defeat to Nottingham Forest last month.
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Crouch and Ferdinand were discussing Liverpool’s inconsistent form this season, and the possible reasons behind it. The pair went on to agree that new signings are needed, with Ferdinand in particular assessing the midfield options at Klopp’s disposal.
“Let’s not get carried away, they were in every competition last season, Champions League final, won two trophies, were one point away from winning the Premier League,” said Crouch on BT Sport.
“This season hasn’t gone to plan, it isn’t a complete overhaul. Salah’s scoring every week, Van Dijk is going through a little period where he isn’t playing well but he’s still possibly the best centre-half in the game at the minute.
“There’s a lack of form but there’s a definite need for a freshen up but Liverpool aren’t far away.
Ferdinand added by saying: “I understand [the] ageing midfield, Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho, Milner getting older.
“We watched them against Nottingham Forest but you’ve got Elliott, Carvalho coming in there, Curtis Jones can come in there. Are they ready to come in and take over?
“That’s the question. If they’re not, if Klopp’s seen that they’re going to have to go into the market.
“I do believe, not this window, but in the summer that’s an area they’ll be looking to get reinforcements. It’s hard when players have done so well for you to go ‘you’ve shown signs of weakness or form is lacking, you’re going to have to get out of the club.’
“It’s difficult when they’ve been so loyal and you’ve relied on them for so long.”
As Liverpool had already secured progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League, the win over Napoli did not mean much in terms of result. However, after seeing the win both Crouch and Ferdinand felt that the Reds still had the quality to be able to lift the trophy at the end of the season.
“Definitely,” said Crouch, when asked if Liverpool can win the Champions League, despite their Premier League form.
“Also, when you get to that stage of no chance of winning it, potentially, throw all your eggs in the Champions League basket. [They’ve] got great pedigree in this competition, players, they’ve got the history behind them.”
Ferdinand agreed with Crouch, and has backed the Reds to go far in Europe’s elite cup competition. “100 per cent, 100 per cent, I totally agree with that,” said the former Manchester United captain.
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