Djibril Cisse is stunned by the form slide of former club Liverpool.

Cisse, now enjoying a prolific spell at Panathinaikos, says it pains him that Liverpool have not built on their incredible 2005 Champions League final success.

France international Cisse told the Mirror: "After winning the Champions League, and in the way we did it, it makes me sad to see the club struggling like it is now.

"I loved the club, I still do and it remains close to my heart. The fans are fantastic and they deserve a lot better. They are the best fans in the world, always so supportive.

"I thought the club would go on and be even more successful after winning the Champions League. But these are difficult times for Liverpool.

"It is easy to see why it's happening - they do not have the strength in depth or the squad that a top club needs.

"You need more than just two strikers if you are a top club. In fact, if you are a top club in the Champions League then you need four strikers. You need at least four, and possibly more with different options.

"Liverpool have Fernando Torres and David Ngog. I know Ngog and he is a really good player. The Liverpool fans must be patient with him because he is very talented. But the problem is that he is very young and still learning.

"They haven't got the sort of squad and cover in positions that you need to be successful in different competitions and that is the problem."