Rio Ferdinand tells Jurgen Klopp it may be time to finally drop 4 key Liverpool players - just like Man United did

Rio Ferdinand insisted that Jurgen Klopp needed to drop four key Liverpool midfielders if they are to progress.

The Reds have endured a tumultuous season plagued by poor form and a spate of absentees.

Klopp’s side sit in ninth place in the Premier League, eight points adrift of Newcastle in fourth, and a seismic 15 points from table toppers Arsenal.

Much of Liverpool’s struggle has been rooted in Brazil international Fabinho’s poor early season performance in midfield.

Meanwhile, key starters Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson have picked up a collection of niggling injuries throughout the campaign that have compromised their ability to have an impact on the team.

In turn, Ferdinand has insisted that Klopp needs to bring in new talent to replace Liverpool’s old guard.

The former Manchester United centre-back compared the Reds’ situation to what he had previously experienced under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scotsman has been lauded for his ability to be ruthless and move on players before performances turned stale.

Speaking on BT Sport Ferdinand said: “That’s the thing with Sir Alex Ferguson and what he was great at, he could see the chink in those players’ armour whatever it be and changing it, getting them out before they were the other side of the mountain.

“We’re talking about players in this Liverpool team who are on the other side of that mountain now in terms of form, where they are in their career compared to two or three years ago.

“Jaap Stam was the best defender at the time, see you later. David Beckham, in terms of his career, bye-bye. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the manager saw something early and they’re big calls to make.

“The risk involved in that but you need to have the belief and confidence in what you’re doing and the ability to spot talent elsewhere to come in.”

Ferdinand identified Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho and James Milner as players that should need replacing soon, but added that Liverpool may not have the tools to replace them just yet.

The 43-year-old said: “I understand ageing midfield, Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho, Milner getting older.”

“We watched them against Nottingham Forest but you’ve got Elliott, Carvalho coming in there, Curtis Jones can come in there. Are they ready to come in and take over?

“That’s the question. If they’re not if Klopp’s seen that they’re going to have to go into the market.

“I do believe, not this window, but in the summer that’s an area, they’ll be looking to get reinforcements.

“It’s hard when players have done so well for you to go ‘you’ve shown signs of weakness or form is lacking, you’re going to have to get out of the club.’ It’s difficult when they’ve been so loyal and you’ve relied on them for so long.”