Wednesday 20 September 2017 17:24, UK
Jurgen Klopp has a big problem at Liverpool after his team were beaten 2-0 at Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, says Alan McInally.
Liverpool dominated possession and shots on target during the match, but were knocked out of the competition as goals from Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani secured Leicester's passage to the last 16.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on Wednesday, McInally said: "Liverpool have a problem putting the ball in the back of the net.
"Complete and utter dominance they had in the first half but they can't put teams away. It's a big problem for him (Klopp).
"I said at the time, he must be utterly deflated, Jurgen Klopp. Your team can look so good but go in at half-time 0-0.
"And when he substituted Philippe Coutinho at half-time, Liverpool didn't look anywhere near as threatening.
"He had an opportunity with the transfer window to strengthen the football team."
But McInally believes there is still light at the end of the tunnel for Klopp, whose side are without a win since beating Arsenal 4-0 in August.
"Danny Ings was on the bench last night and he came on in the second half," said McInally. "Once Ings gets his fitness, he might make a difference and they are definitely missing (suspended) Sadio Mane - that's massive."
He added: "And I don't think they are ruthless enough in the final third. They have to be as ruthless as Man City and Man Utd in scoring goals.
"The amount of chances they had and the possession they had, when they go in at half-time, they probably thought 'we'll still win this'."
Another guest on Sky Sports News, Shay Given, highlighted Liverpool's defensive issues, with the Reds conceding 10 goals in their last four games.
The former Newcastle, Manchester City and Stoke goalkeeper said: "It was well-documented they wanted to sign Virgil van Dijk in the summer but didn't.
"But you would have thought a club the size of Liverpool would have had a plan B.
"There should be another centre-half in Europe, or the world, they could have got because it's clear from the goals, from last season and this season, they are conceding and even Klopp says he's sick of the same goals week-in, week-out.
"But now they'll have to work on it on the training ground, as there is no magic wand. The window's closed and there's no Van Dijk.
"They'll have to be more dominant (in defence). Someone will have to step up. No one seems to take control of the situation."
