Liverpool struggling to catch-up top clubs says ex-Red Lawrenson

Former Liverpool player and BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson has admitted that Liverpool are struggling to catch-up the clubs at the top of the Barclays Premier League, but maintained that he doesn’t think that current boss Kenny Dalglish will get the sack or stand down as manager.

In a frank interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Lawrenson admitted that Liverpool’s biggest problem, along with the stadium, is trying to attract the type of player that the other top four clubs can attract. According to ex-Red Lawrenson, the lack of Champions League football Liverpool have had of late, is the main reason they are failing to secure the type of signing that would in-turn help them qualify for the Champions League and finish third or fourth in the Premier League. Liverpool have lost 8 times already in 2012 and Lawrenson has pointed the finger at current big money signings Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. All four players have failed to find the form and consistency that helped them secure moves to Liverpool in the first place, and it is these signings, alongside Liverpool’s recent poor form that have led to Liverpool fans calling for Kenny Dalglish to either stand down or be be replaced as manager.

Lawrenson told BBC Radio 5 Live:

‘Another problem at Liverpool is the stadium. It’s really difficult to know where they’re going to go.

‘Until they get into the Champions League places they can’t attract Champions League players, but how do they get there? Pay stupid money?

‘They’re trying to play catch-up with other clubs. Anfield is full at 40,000 every week, but other clubs, Arsenal get 60,000, Manchester United 75,000, and then you have Manchester City and Chelsea.’

Liverpool, who have already won this season’s Carling Cup, could yet finish with more trophies than Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea if they go on to win the FA Cup. Yet it is their Premier League form that is the biggest concern to fans, many of whom would admit that they’d swap the Carling Cup for a place in Europe’s elite competition next season – although a top four finish looks beyond them after the defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.

What do you think? Are Liverpool struggling to catch-up other clubs in the Premier League? Will a new stadium help? And if Kenny Dalglish isn’t the right man, then who is? We’ll be accepting as many comments as possible, so please add your views below.