Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has warned his old side they 'missed a trick' in not choosing to sign Timo Werner before the forward joined Chelsea in the transfer window.
Werner was long linked with a move to Anfield but the club opted not to make an offer, with financial implications due to the coronavirus pandemic
Crouch also suggested the Reds need to find a long-term replacement for Dejan Lovren, following his move to Zenit St Petersburg, after Jurgen Klopp explained his plan to utilise midfielder Fabinho as fourth choice backup in the position.
He made the comments while being asked questions from fans in the Daily Mail. One supporter, Andy Jay, asked: 'Do Liverpool need signings to regain the title?'
Crouch responded: "They do, Andy. It's never a bad thing to bring in new players to freshen things up.
"Liverpool are still my idea of champions and their squad is fantastic but there are always areas that need some investment.
"I looked at the defence against Leeds. They have got three great players in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip but I believe they could do with another addition there, as I wouldn't want to see Fabinho used as the fourth-choice central defender.
"Look at the second goal they conceded, to Patrick Bamford. It was a rare mistake by Van Dijk that had a hint of complacency about it. Does he make the same mistake if Liverpool have signed a central defender this summer and pressure is being applied to his place? Competition raises your standards by an extra one or two per cent."
It's not just the defence where Crouch believes extra competition would boost the ranks and players already in the side but further forward as well, in particular up front and midfield, with Liverpool continuously linked with Bayern Munich's Thiago.
And he is player that should be 'welcomed' to Anfield.
Crouch said: "There are only so many times Mohamed Salah, who bailed out his team, and Sadio Mane can produce heroics. Adding another midfielder — such as Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara — or back-up striker would be welcomed. I have a feeling they missed a trick not getting Timo Werner."
Liverpool's back up striking options currently include Divock Origi and Rhian Brewster but both of their futures have been subject to speculation over the summer.
Werner was linked with Jurgen Klopp's side ahead of the current transfer window, but the Reds decided against building on their interest with a firm offer and the striker eventually moved to Chelsea in a deal worth nearly £50m from RB Leipzig.
He even opted against travelling with his old side to take part in the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League in Portugal, instead joining up with his new team in London.
*Do you play Fantasy Premier League? Do you back yourself to use your chips in the right gameweeks, and nail your captain every single time? Now is your chance to prove it – and win some prizes in the process.
