Liverpool told they need a ‘Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne’ if they are to win Premier League ahead of crunch meeting with title rivals Arsenal

Liverpool are currently atop the Premier League rankings as they prepare to face off against title rivals Arsenal this weekend. Arne Slot’s men lead the standings by one point over defending champions Manchester City. Last season, the Reds finished third behind the Gunners and the Cityzens after a late collapse in the title race.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool legend Carragher has suggested that the Reds’ squad is too weak this season to seriously challenge, and that they will need to make a few signings in the January transfer window as they lack a threatening attacking midfielder, as he claimed Dominik Szoboszlai has left him ‘wanting more’.
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  WHAT CARRAGHER SAID

  In his column for The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: “Liverpool need to grasp the nettle and make a couple of quality signings in January if they are to win the Premier League title. Liverpool knew during pre-season they needed more ready-made class. I am not talking about a squad player to give Slot another option to rotate, but the right recruit to go directly into the line-up against the best teams in England and Europe – a signing that screams, ‘Bang, Liverpool really mean business.’.

  “When comparing the full-strength Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City starting XIs, the title rivals have more quality in a particular area. Liverpool are short of a Martin Odegaard, Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne-style attacking midfielder – that X Factor in the middle of the park who elevates a side to the next level.

  “Dominik Szoboszlai has performed well off the ball and he brings energy to the team – doing the ‘dirty work’ as he puts it – but for all the possession he gets in good areas, he needs to be more productive in terms of his assists and goals. We are yet to see if that is part of his game. For the £60 million he cost, he too often leaves me wanting more. It does not need to all be ‘dirty’ work when you have the time and space on the edge of the penalty area to find a team-mate or unleash a shot.”

  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Slot’s men will now take on Arsenal on Sunday, October 27, as they look to continue their remarkable start to life under the Dutchmen and pile the misery on the underwhelming Gunners.