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Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool they risk missing out on Champions League qualification without defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Liverpool have endured a poor title defence, underlined by their resounding 3-0 defeat by Manchester City before the international break. The champions have lost seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions and have slipped to eighth in the Premier League table.
Those struggles have come most sharply away from home, where Liverpool have repeatedly failed to cope with the physicality and direct style of their opponents.
The former Reds defender believes that Arne Slot's squad are 'not equipped' to successfully defend their title despite a record-breaking summer spree that reached £450million. But Carragher has now raised doubt over their ability to even qualify for club football's premier competition next term.
'I think there are lots of little things. But if we're being honest, looking at the games they've lost and the type of games they've lost, they can't handle the physicality of the Premier League,' he said on The Overlap podcast.
'Arne Slot wanted to move Liverpool to almost have more football, more goals and entertainment. When he played Man City last week, he was talking up Pep like he was his hero, and he probably is for a lot of coaches.
Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool they risk missing out on Champions League qualification without defensive reinforcements
Liverpool have endured a poor title defence, underlined by their resounding 3-0 defeat by Manchester City before the international break
Arne Slot's men have lost seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions before the break
'That's his football. He's trying to push Liverpool one way and I think the Premier League has gone back in terms of physicality.
'I don't think this group of players is equipped to win the Premier League this year, even with the points and how far behind they are. Maybe in January [they'll need to recruit], more physicality, more pace, more power.
'I think if Liverpool don't sign a defender in January, they could miss out on the Champions League.'
Liverpool came agonisingly close to strengthening their defence in the summer when they agreed a £35m deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, only for the move to collapse after Palace failed to line up a replacement.
The England international completed a medical and was prepared to make the switch before Palace pulled the plug late on deadline day in a move that left Liverpool scrambling for alternatives.
Reports have since suggested the club could return for Guehi next summer, with his contract running until 2026 and no extension agreed so far.
In the short term, Liverpool have also been linked with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January window, with a reported £65m release clause becoming active part way through the season.
The Ghana international has enjoyed a strong campaign on the south coast and, is attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs including Liverpool.
Liverpool came agonisingly close to strengthening their defence in the summer when they agreed a £35m deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi
Liverpool have also been linked with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January window
While defensive reinforcements remain the priority, concerns have also grown over the impact of Liverpool's summer signings. Florian Wirtz has yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League after 11 matches following his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.
German outlet Sport Bild have pointed the finger at Mohamed Salah, claiming the forward has been reluctant to link up with the new arrival and has favoured established team-mates instead.
Liverpool will hope for a reversal of fortunes when they return to action after the international break.
They face Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday as they look to close the gap on leaders Arsenal, who they currently trail by a mammoth eight points after only 11 matches.
