Carragher tells Klopp he can’t avoid making Liverpool change this summer

Jamie Carragher has urged Jurgen Klopp not to delay changing up his front three at Liverpool this summer.

The Reds' potent attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have formed the backbone of the club's success in recent seasons.

But if this campaign is anything to go on, their powers as a collective unit appear to be waning.

Only Salah has hit the same goalscoring heights expected of him, while Mane's form has been called into question and Firmino's struggles seem to be worsening.

With Diogo Jota putting pressure on for a regular starting place, and fresh impetus needed to lift Liverpool out of their slump, Carragher feels it's a change Klopp cannot avoid any longer.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, he said: "People have talked about the forward line being out of form, but it's been too long now for that [to be used as an argument]. People keep talking about Liverpool's problems at centre-back, but their biggest problem is at the other end of the pitch.

"We know that both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez will be back next season. Liverpool's famous front three, and rightly so, are still there.

"They've had the added bonus of Diogo Jota, who's chipped in with a few goals, but I said this six months ago on Monday Night Football – the front three needed breaking up because no front three is ever together for this long.

"When you look at other great attacking partnerships and front threes from the past, they last probably three years and then you move on. Liverpool's have been together for probably four or five years so it does need breaking up in the summer."

It seems that may already be forming part of the club's thinking, as Salah revealed on Saturday he was yet to be approached for discussions over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2023.

But funds to spend on transfers could be tight at Anfield this summer, although recent investment from RedBird Capital for a stake in the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, could provide Klopp with some extra financial muscle to flex in the market.

A move for Kylian Mbappe would be the ideal option as his contract at PSG is set to enter its final year, though Liverpool would need to break the bank to land him this summer, as well as forking out for his huge wages.

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Liverpool's transfer approach has largely been a lot more considerate than splurging big money on a well-known player, but Carragher feels whoever they go for must be a ready-made option.

"That's where Liverpool need to invest, as they do at centre-back of course. It's actually quite similar to Manchester United, but that's where Liverpool need to spend the money," he added.

"The front three have been amazing but it's just at that stage now where it needs something else and it must be rectified in the summer when you think of the chances that have been missed this season.

"You have to move with the times, and an extra bit of competition up front wouldn't go amiss."

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