Liverpool ‘are NOT ready to win the Premier League’, insists Jamie Carragher – as Reds legend believes Jurgen Klopp’s side cannot challenge for the title until they sign a ‘top midfielder and a top-class defender’

Jamie Carragher has insisted that Liverpool cannot challenge for the Premier League title until they sign a defensive midfielder and another defender.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have made an encouraging start to the season and currently sit third in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Manchester City.

However, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Luton on Sunday in a match that club legend Carragher said highlighted some of their shortcomings.

Carragher argued that it is still too easy for teams to launch counter-attacks against Liverpool.

Carragher told Sky Sports: ‘What Liverpool have had in the last 18 months, they are a lot better at this season, they are still not as good as Manchester City at stopping counter-attacks. People always think Liverpool press from the front, but Liverpool are a team that dominates possession and has a lot of possession. They are not as good as City in possession, so there are more turnovers when they lose the ball.

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‘Opponents seem to find much more space to get behind and attack Liverpool. Luton didn’t have the quality to really punish them, other than the goal we saw.”

Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool from Brighton, has played as a midfielder for most of the season.

While Carragher believes Mac Allister is a talented player, he stressed that the 24-year-old is not suited to play in such a deep position.

Carragher claimed that Mac Allisiter struggles defensively at times and pointed out that Liverpool need to strengthen in that area.

He said: ‘Liverpool are a lot better in midfield than last season, but they still don’t have a top player in midfield. Mac Allister is not a midfield player. He is good on the ball in terms of reception, but defensively he finds it very tough and lacks some speed for that position, so I still think they can improve there.

Carragher also claimed that Liverpool need to bring in another defender, perhaps a right-back who would allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to move into midfield on occasion.

He said: ‘I think what Liverpool need in their back four is not so much a player for a specific position, but almost just a great defender who can play a few positions. They went with Gomez at left back today instead of Tsimikas, they thought he would be stronger defensively.

‘I still think Liverpool could use another player in that position, probably at right-back on the other side and maybe leave Trent free at other times, perhaps in midfield. Against certain opponents you play someone who is perhaps stronger and stronger defensively.’

‘I don’t think Liverpool are ready to win the league yet, I think Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool supporters know that now. They would like to get back into the top four, but in terms of challenge I think they still need a top-class midfielder and defender.”

Liverpool play away to Toulouse in the Europa League on Thursday before returning to the competition at home to Brentford three days later.