Arsenal legend Martin Keown says that Liverpool centre-backs are aware that manager Jurgen Klopp wanted to get rid of them in the summer.

Klopp wanted to sign Virgil van Dijk in the summer, but the Reds couldn't capture their main target and the German manager ended up signing no centre-backs. Keown reckons that the Reds have serious issues in the centre of defence this season.

He told the Daily Mail: "The League Cup might have been a competition too many for them. They are now coming to terms with the workload they have ahead of them.

"Liverpool are still not strong enough in central defence and there are issues elsewhere in the squad.

"They targeted the right player in Virgil van Dijk. Southampton just would not budge.

"That will impact on what has been left behind. The defenders know Klopp was trying to replace them.

"Their priority will be retaining Champions League football. They still need to do well in it.

"That's tougher for them than United and City, who have such brilliant squads."