Return to action emphasizes Liverpool problems

So the long wait for a Liverpool Premier League game ended in a dire 0-0 draw.

One of the worst Merseyside derby's in recent history may have been expected after a three-month lay-off. But hope existed of Liverpool hitting the ground running.

The Reds were far from their best.

They could not break Everton down, and very nearly lost the game on the counter-attack.

In fact, the only real onfield issues that Liverpool have had in recent months were on full display throughout the 90 minutes.

The circumstances were not ideal - noticeable rustiness, a change in pre-match routine and no fans in the ground.

So Liverpool can be forgiven for a below-par performance.

The Reds will still be crowned Premier League champions. This is what should be at the front of everyone's minds.

However, the team must look to retain this dominance for years to come.

Jurgen Klopp probably has the best first-choice eleven in world football. But Sunday's game just proved that what is underneath them simply isn't good enough.

One only needs to look at Manchester City's demolition of Burnley on Monday night.

Pep Guardiola's men won 5-0 with Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan on the bench.

If asked to point out the three areas in the Liverpool squad that needed strengthening, the majority would say cover at left-back, a better fourth-choice forward and a new fourth-choice centre back.

Each and every one of these points would be reiterated after watching the derby.

Robertson needs better cover

Firstly, James Milner is a fantastic player.

A true pro, he betters the players around him by demanding high standards. Pair this with his underrated playing ability and you have the ideal squad player.

But he is not a left-back.

He does an admirable job there, but when one considers how important fullbacks are to Klopp's system, Milner simply cannot be Andy Robertson's deputy going forward.

The main reason for this is the fact that he is right-footed.

Going forward, Liverpool rely heavily on Andy Robertson's fantastic quick deliveries with his left foot.

As seen against Everton, Milner constantly has to check back onto his right foot before crossing into the box.

This slows down attacks to the point where what could have been a goal from a Robertson cross becomes a ball whipped in slightly behind the attacking runners.

Milner is not as quick as Robertson either, with the Scot's excellent ball-progressing dribbles being pivotal in increasing the tempo of the Reds' attack.

It was worse again when Joe Gomez, a top-class, right-footed centre-back, had to play left-back after Milner's injury.

When Andy Robertson is not on the pitch, the whole dynamic of the team changes. For a team with aspirations like Liverpool's, this just is not sustainable.

Perhaps they see Yasser Larouci as the long-term understudy, but the fact of the matter is that if he is not ready to receive regular minutes next season, he isn't enough.

In order to retain the same system when Robertson is not available, Liverpool need to sign a quick, left-footed left-back.

The likes of Jamal Lewis and Matt Targett could be available on the cheap if their respective clubs are relegated.

The Reds could do a lot worse than swooping for either player.

Liverpool need front-line reinforcements

Liverpool without Mohamed Salah is often a rather lethargic outfit going forward.

Evidence of this lies in both the Everton game and the draw against Man United.

Even when the Egyptian is having an off day, his pace and sheer presence scare the life out of defenders. They know the damage that he can do in the blink of an eye.

In Sunday's game, Takumi Minamino gave a good showing. He pressed very well and looked bright in the early stages. But it seems clear that he is more comfortable through the middle.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was lost on the right flank when he was there and is also not at his best out wide.

Liverpool simply never looked like scoring.

When one of Salah or Sadio Mane is not available, there is a noticeable lack of bite in the attack.

FSG could not justify spending £54 million on a player (Timo Werner) that was not an improvement on the current first-choice trio.

But they have to go out and spend a slightly smaller sum on someone who is just good enough to play when they are not available.

Preferably, the player would have the potential to become world-class, but they certainly don't have to be at that level right away.

Just someone who can make a fullback think twice, someone unpredictable that is good in tight spaces.

The likes of Moussa Diaby would not cost an arm and a leg, yet he would still scare defenders a lot more than the likes of Minamino due to his pace and trickery.

Diaby and a few alternatives are profiled here.

Again, maybe the answer is already in the squad, in Harvey Elliott.

Yes, he is only 17, but he is better in tight spaces than some proven Premier League regulars.

He is the type of player that when he receives the ball, fans stand up because it looks like something will happen. This is a quality that the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi do not possess when playing in wide areas.

If Klopp thinks that Elliott is too young, then they need to spend this summer.

Lovren needs the boot

Liverpool fans should never abuse one of their own players.

The club's motto is "You'll Never Walk Alone". It is something that we are proud of.

So any abusive comments towards Dejan Lovren should not be tolerated, under any circumstances.

However, there does come a point when it is obvious that a player is simply not good enough for Liverpool.

Unfortunately, Lovren falls into this category.

He was not good enough in 2015, he is not good enough in 2020.

Some will say that the Croatian is perfectly acceptable as a fourth-choice central defender. But Joe Gomez and Joel Matip pick up so many injuries that Liverpool's fourth-choice will play at least 10 games a season.

Lovren is not good enough to play 10 games a season for Liverpool.

Yesterday was the perfect example. His 17-minute cameo was nothing short of calamitous.

Everton had not come close to scoring all game, yet when he took to the field, the chances came flowing. It cannot be a coincidence.

This is not an isolated incident, either. One only needs to look at the 3-0 loss to Watford.

Forwards just love playing against him.

He is rash beyond belief, always trying to do the heroic thing instead of just keeping things calm and straightforward.

His presence scares his teammates.

The exact opposite to Salah, when Lovren is on the pitch, he doesn't even need to play badly himself. The team is weaker just because he is in it.

His time has come, and he should be sold this summer.

A cooler-headed defender is a must-sign. Again, they do not have to be Virgil van Dijk 2.0, they just have to be competent.

Someone less erratic who will allow fans to breathe easy when he is on the pitch.

The likes of Conor Coady is by no means world-class. But he won't lose his head and let the team down at vital stages.

This is the profile that Liverpool simply need to go for this summer.