Peter Crouch has warned that Liverpool FC is too dependent on Mohamed Salah, adding that the Reds need Roberto Firmino to step up.
On Wednesday night, the defending Premier League champions suffered a 1-0 loss to Brighton at Anfield to losing their second consecutive fixture at their home ground.
As Liverpool FC struggled in the absence of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Fabinho, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane, Brighton scored a spunky winner in the second half.
In the Premier League table, the title holders are in fourth position and seven points behind Manchester City leaders, who have played one game less than the side of Jurgen Klopp.
Firmino has only scored six times this season throughout 22 Premier League games, with his recent irregular form a particular concern for the team. Mo Salah, on the other hand, is Liverpool FC’s top goal scorer in the Premier League this season, having scored 15 goals in 21 games in the top flight.
Former Liverpool FC striker Crouch has warned that Firmino needs to step up following the Brazil international’s disappointing performances.
“They were superhuman last year and I think we are seeing a human side to them, understandably so,” Crouch told BT Sport.
“They are missing Alisson today, Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane, anyone would miss those players.
“Having said that they are a title winning side, won the Champions League, they should have a deeper squad.
“Liverpool are capable of putting a real big run together but whether you can see City losing four or five games I’m not so sure.”
Crouch added: “There’s an over-reliance on Salah.
“Firmino has got to step up. Salah has got 20-odd goals. But with Mane missing, Jota as well. It was a shame when Jota got injured.
“When Salah is not on it and he is missing chances I don’t see where they will score goals.”
Liverpool FC will take the leaders of the Premier League, Manchester City, on Sunday afternoon at their next top-flight in Anfield.
The Reds signed a deal with Ben Davies from the Preston North End Championship side in the January transfer window. The 19-time English champions also recruited Turkey’s international Ozan Kabak in a loan agreement from Schalke 04.
