Former Liverpool defender Glen Hysen says the club needs it's academy to start producing international class talent again.

The Swede, who was in the last team to lift the title at Anfield, has backed Kenny Dalglish for the manager's job.

And on the Reds academy he told Sporting Intelligence: "The academy has stopped producing first team players.

"Stephen Warnock was the last player to make the grade from the academy - but not at Liverpool. He is in the England World Cup squad, but for me he's not a world-class player like a Gerrard, Jamie Carragher or Michael Owen. These are the type of players the academy used to produce.

"It has stopped working. When Steve Heighway was at the academy it was cruising, but it is not happening now. That is a big crisis. It needs to be better and Kenny knows that and has already been working in that area.

"Meanwhile, I suspect we are no longer the first choice for the top players. When I was playing, Liverpool was the top choice, but not any more. Now players are more likely to choose Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid. Liverpool is likely to be second or third choice for a top player. That issue needs to be addressed - we need a return to that level."