In a verdict which does not present the Liverpool squad in a positive light, Phil Thompson says Jurgen Klopp has a weakness in every position.
The Reds' 3-1 defeat at Leicester City on Monday came as a huge frustration to Thompson, formerly an Anfield player as well as assistant and caretaker manager.
He believes manager Klopp has a huge task on his hands to reshape the Liverpool squad, which he feels has a poor attitude and needs a presence comparable to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
"Liverpool need to spend big in the summer and replace the spine of the team, which is a top goalkeeper, a top defender, a central midfielder with some bite and a quality striker," Thompson said to Sky Sports.
"We need a bit of attitude and aggression, a bit of a nark in central midfield if you want - a Graeme Souness or, dare I say it, a Roy Keane.
"We are top of the 'big-six league' but poor mentality and attitude and complacency is what you would associate with Liverpool.
"You just know Liverpool will turn up and be absolutely fantastic [against Arsenal on Saturday] and we will be asking why, why oh why, has that happened again?
"The players don't have it in them to win ugly. When we win, we win beautifully.
"You look at the results, certainly away from home, as it showed against Leicester, we are not designed to take the game to the opposition. Once a team sits in we don't know how to break them down."
Thompson wants to see some major spending in the transfer market, with Liverpool on a run of just one win in seven Premier League games.
He continued: "I think since Klopp has been there we have been in profit for transfers so there should be some money in the kitty.
"Raheem Sterling is the main one who has been sold and we have got a lot of players off the wage bill.
"If Daniel Sturridge leaves in the summer, which looks the case if he isn't playing, it wouldn't be a massive sum but we have got to spend big on a replacement."
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