The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Souness questions strength of Reds squad
Former captain concerned that Klopp’s options are too limited for double demands
Liverpool’s former European Cupwinning captain Graeme Souness is concerned his old side do not have enough depth in the squad to cope with the double demands of Premier League and Champions League football.
Jurgen Klopp’s failure to land primary target Virgil van Dijk to bolster an often suspect defence has been much debated and will continue to be until the January transfer window opens.
But even the arrival of winger Mohamed Salah, who is proving an instant success, striker Dominic Solanke, Scotland full-back Andrew Robertson and midfielder Alex OxladeChamberlain has not done enough to address the overall issue, according to Souness.
Asked whether he felt they had the resources to cope with two high-profile competitions the former Scotland international said: “No I don’t.
“The fact he went out on such a limb to get Van Dijk, didn’t get him and has not got anyone since then tells you that was an area he was trying to strengthen.
“That he was willing to pay such big money for a defender suggests that is his priority going forward.”
Souness, speaking at the launch of Stoptober, the 28-day stop smoking challenge starting on October 1, added: “They had a clear run last year (a season without European football) but there’s no doubt about it, more games means you need more players and I don’t think he’s got that strength in depth.
“If they were to have a bad run of injuries and some key games came along it would hurt them badly.
“Manchester United could survive, it wouldn’t hurt City at all and those are the two teams you look at to do well in both competitions. They have stronger squads to pick from.
“What has happened with the Champions League is teams are focused on the next (European) game and not the (Premier League) one in front of them.
“You have to get results in both competitions.”
Klopp’s options will be tested tonight in the Champions League match in Russia against Spartak Moscow.
Defender Joe Gomez is suspended, so his only choice with Nathaniel Clyne injured is to play 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Loris Karius will come into the starting line-up as Klopp continues his policy of rotating goalkeepers for different competitions, with forward Sadio Mane set to start after serving the final game of his domestic ban at the weekend.
Klopp’s first appearance before the press in Russia left him agitated and frustrated as he walked out early.
The Reds boss labelled his pre-match press conference at a hotel five minutes’ drive from where the team landed at Sheremetyevo Airport a “waste of time”.