Ex-Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has called on his former club to sign a midfielder when the January transfer window opens.

Naby Keita’s hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw against Brighton at the weekend means the Reds are running low of players who can play in the midfield three, and Collymore feels the Merseyside club must look to strengthen their options or risk falling behind title rivals Chelsea:

“Naby, I’m worried, I’ve got to be honest… The central hub of Liverpool’s midfield now needs every one of the technical staff, every one of the recruitment staff, to look at it and say: ‘Is there an argument that we need to bring somebody in, in midfield?’ I believe the answer to the argument is yes. Don’t now let this three-point gap to Chelsea become six or nine because you haven’t addressed those issues”.

While Liverpool had the numbers in midfield at the start of the season, with the likes of Fabinho, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Thiago, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott all available, a large number of them are prone to injury.

The failure to replace Georginio Wijnaldum has, therefore, been a major concern for fans and pundits alike, so Collymore’s remarks are pretty in tune with what most supporters think about the situation.

It will be hoped that Liverpool can cope in midfield until the New Year before going into the market to add more depth.