Jamie Carragher lays into Anfield stars and instructs his old club to recruit heavily

Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool need to either change tactics or change players after Monday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea as he suggested that his former side are still trying to play the same way they did ‘three or four years ago’.

Liverpool showed a better fighting spirit from their humiliating weekend defeat with Manchester City to clinch a point at Stamford Bridge, but Carragher questioned Jurgen Klopp’s side style of play.

Liverpool have won every major honour available to them under Klopp but a season of struggles has seen them punch far below their usual best and drop to eighth in the Premier League standings.

Carragher has previously sought to find excuses for Liverpool’s problems and suggested on Sky Sports that the Anfield outfit aren’t the same team that they previously were under Klopp. 

‘The thing watching Liverpool they still play the same way, the same idea is there but they can’t do it,’ said Carragher.

Jurgen Klopp has been unable to resurrect Liverpool after a orrid season of inconsistencies

Klopp’s tactics appear to have been less effective than they were in season gone by 

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool are now not the same team that enjoyed tremendous success over the last few seasons

‘When you look at the Man City game they played it like the Liverpool from three or four years ago, man to man all over the pitch, be brave and play high but they are just not that Liverpool. 

‘As a manager do you stick to your ideas and principles or do you adapt them with how your players are,’ he added.

Carragher stopped short of blaming Klopp’s decision-making as the main reason for Liverpool’s inconsistent performances but did instruct the 55-year-old to ‘attack the transfer market’ in the summer in a recruitment drive.

Liverpool have only splashed the cash heavily on the odd occasion over the last few years and aren’t renowned for giving their managers a transfer war chest capable of overhauling a squad.

But that is what Carragher believes needs to happen if they are to bounce back next season as the likes of Man City, Manchester United, and Chelsea are all expected to again spend big. 

‘Klopp is a great manager of course but even tonight they still play like Liverpool from three years ago and got a 0-0 out of it and you are scratching your head thinking how, the big thing is how easy other teams get chances,’ said Carragher.

‘Klopp tried to do different things at times this season but he is not going to change completely, he does what he does and if they keep doing it will keep leaving themselves open, basically playing man for man all over the pitch and that’s why you see Man City, 

‘Chelsea tonight and throughout the season Liverpool are still trying to play the same way with the players who can’t do it right now. 

Former Reds defender Carragher (right) believes Klopp (left) needs to recruit new players to suit his style

Klopp will be hoping to mount a late challenge for the Champions League qualification spots

‘Whether it is the same players who have been doing it for four or five years and need new players, I don’t think there is anything more to look at it other than they need to attack the transfer market and get back to having that energy in the team to implement Klopp’s idea,’ he added.

Carragher’s pessimistic outlook continued when he was asked whether he feels that Liverpool can make a late push for the Premier League’s top four.

They are currently seven points adrift of fourth and with many of the teams above them in considerably better form look as if they will miss out on the Champions League spots.

Liverpool look unlikely of qualifying for next season’s Champions League competition

The player-turned-pundit agreed with that view as he said: ‘I feel Liverpool have to win next two games to have glimmer of hope, Spurs dropped points on Monday, no doubt Liverpool’s last five games if they are anywhere near where they should be they win those games.

‘I think other teams are playing too well, it’s not even a case of winning or losing games, it’s when you look at the performance. 

‘Spurs weren’t great last night, I think United look stronger defensively, they do concede a few goals away from home at times but more often than not they get the job done. 

‘I just don’t believe Liverpool are playing well enough to get the points they are going to need,’ he said.