Liverpool Have The 'Sixth-Best Squad' In The Premier League - Carragher

Former Reds defender, Jamie Carragher rates Liverpool's squad as the sixth-best squad in the English League's top-flight and regards them as 'outsiders' to seal Champions League qualification spot.

Liverpool embarked upon a promising start at the beginning of the season, unarguably part of the strongest title contenders towards the end of 2016, but a sorry run of form through 2017 has threatened to undermine all of their hard work.

Although Carragher feels the presence of manager Jurgen Klopp gives them a chance, he thinks they are up against it to make the top four stating that a Champions League qualification would crown  up a successful season for them.

He however believes the Reds are over-reliant on the manager's ability rather than the club's playing staff.

Hull City inflicted a shock 2-0 defeat on Liverpool in their most recent outing, leaving them 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and in danger of slipping out of the top four.

Following Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hull City, the Reds have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions and will fall down to fifth on Sunday if Manchester City avoid defeat against Swansea City.

Carragher, who won nine major trophies including the Champions League during his Liverpool playing career, said to Sky Sports: "I imagine after the weekend they will be outside the top four and they will be outsiders now.

"Liverpool have got the sixth-best squad in the league for me, but I think the quality of the manager puts them where they are.

"Off the back of the cup exits, the only thing left for Liverpool is to qualify for the Champions League. If they do, I still think it would make a successful season.

"People will keep saying they have played a lot of the top teams but in their next home games they have got Tottenham and Arsenal.

"You would expect them to do well in those games, they always do, but the majority of matches they have struggled in have come against teams in the bottom half of the table. That is where they have major problems."

Carragher also feels Klopp needs to increase the attack in his game, and also make his substitutions quicker rather than waiting for the concluding moments of the game. The former Liverpool player also feelds  Emre Can should be played from the starting line-up to improve Liverpool's fortunes.

He added: "I would take Emre Can out of the midfield. I don't think it works as a two alongside Jordan Henderson.

"I don't understand why Georginio Wijnaldum was out of the side. I think he brings more energy and a bigger goal threat.

"Maybe change the system of three central midfielders and three attacking players? You could go for a more conventional two central midfielders, a number 10 and a front three. You would have more attacking players on the pitch against sides like Hull.

"The changes from the bench have got to come a lot quicker too. It takes too long to make a change and they will very rarely make a substitution at half-time."

Though Carragher believes in Jurgen Klopp's ability to lift Liverpool to glory. He however feels the German has too much faith in his consistent tactic and feels the Reds need a "Plan B."

He added: "It's getting to the stage now when Liverpool have got to have a different plan," Carragher added.

"We talk about a Plan B but Liverpool have just one plan. It worked outstanding in the first four or five months of the season but they are in a sticky patch at the moment and I think it's obvious how you set up against them.

"You make it difficult through the centre of the pitch and you counter attack. That's what Hull did and they did it outstandingly well."