Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen says their struggles this season is proof the support cast is simply not good enough.

Liverpool were outplayed by Portsmouth on Saturday to lose 2-0.

Hansen said: "Last season Liverpool had players right down the spine - the keeper, Reina, Carragher was playing well, Mascherano was brilliant, Alonso, Gerrard, Torres, and the bits round the side were just filling in. They were playing with confidence and we thought they were half-decent players.

"The minute those six started to struggle - or, in Alonso's case, left the club - then the bits round the side had to step up to the plate and, unfortunately, they haven't been able to do it. Liverpool's results have been abysmal."