Liverpool have been told to prepare for a “tough season” after losing several “top-class players” in the window.
The Reds, who head into this campaign under the reign of former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, finished fifth last year, which saw the departure of Arne Slot.
They’ve won two and lost one in pre-season so far, with three more games scheduled before their opening match away at Newcastle United.
Former Liverpool forward Dean Saunders has issued a warning to the Reds, feeling they need to go out and sign numerous players.
Speaking exclusively to GB News through LiveFootballTickets, Saunders said: “I think it’s going to be a tough season for Liverpool this year.
“They need a good bounce-back year under the new manager, which I think they are capable of, but it’ll be a tough ask for them to win the league.
“Last summer they let too many important squad players leave, and I think that was their undoing last season. They did buy some talented players, but they didn’t set the world on fire.
“Whether that was down to injury, like Alexander Isak, or just taking some time to adjust to the Premier League. But this season the style of football has to change under Andoni Iraola.”
Liverpool have been told to prepare for a ‘tough season’
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GETTY
Saunders felt fans were left “frustrated” by Liverpool’s style of play last season, with much of the football “sideways and backwards”.
The Welshman hopes that with their new boss, the Reds can rediscover the exciting football supporters have seen before.
He said: “Iraola has a completely different formula of management; hopefully he gets them playing better football and winning games right from the word go.
“They need to get the ball from the back up the pitch much quicker this season and use the pace of the team. I think if they can do that, they’ll be just fine.”
Dean Saunders felt fans were left ‘frustrated’ by Liverpool’s style of play last season
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GETTY
The Reds have brought in youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz so far this summer, boosting Iraola’s squad.
While Saunders believes the signings are “talented”, he feels Liverpool need to bring in “players who are experienced but also good”.
He told the People’s Channel: “Being experienced and being actually good is not the same thing, and Liverpool need great players if they want to get back to lifting trophies this season.
“They already lost top-class players with big personalities such as Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah this summer. So they need some incomings to match these outgoings.”
Andoni Iraola took over from Arne Slot at Anfield
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Regarding where they need to do some business, he said: “They desperately need a right-back, as unfortunately Connor Bradley isn’t fit, or I’m sure he’d do a great job.
“They missed Trent Alexander-Arnold badly last season; they had loads of players fill in that position, and you can’t have players filling in if you want to win the Premier League.
“Liverpool also need to go out and buy the world’s best centre back. They need at least one more signing to go alongside Virgil Van Dijk, and he has to be world-class if Liverpool want to succeed this season.
“I also think a secondary centre half signing as some cover would be great just to give the young lad Jacquet time to settle in this season.
“Liverpool also need a midfielder, someone who has played in the Premier League before and knows what it takes week in, week out.
“It looks like things are uncertain with Alexis Mac Allister, and if there’s any truth in that, I think we’ll see Liverpool address that and sign someone before the end of the window.”
