John Aldridge has highlighted Liverpool's need for Joel Matip to return.

The Reds were beaten 3-2 by Swansea City at Anfield on Saturday in what was another suspect defensive performance form Jurgen Klopp's men.

Matip has been out of action while FIFA decide what to do with his Africa Cup of Nations snub to Cameroon and after such a defeat, the team is crying out for his impending return says club legend Aldridge.

“Well, it wasn't good against Swansea, but maybe we should have seen it coming," he wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo.

“Let's face it, it hasn't been good for some time, and it's just not clicking.

“You have to defend in this game, and you look at some of our results – this one and Bournemouth in particular – and it has truly been our undoing.

“Our style of play will always leave us open a bit, but against Swansea, we looked vulnerable throughout.

“Joel Matip could have been the difference there, and he has to start against Southampton. We needed his height on crosses and corners against Swansea.

“For the first, Dejan Lovren gets caught under his man. For the second, it's a great ball and credit to Fernando Llorente for a good header, but if there's a bit of Matip's height in there, maybe he gets it away.

“He's been a big player for us Matip and in every game we've lost this season, he's been missing from the starting line-up. That's no coincidence.

“Thankfully the FIFA furore is all behind us now so let's hope he gets back and tightens up that defence. We need it."