Gerry Francis believes Liverpool are nowhere near the team they were last season.
The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night and currently sit 11th on the Premier League table which has them way off the second-placed finish they achieved last term.
Former QPR midfielder and manager Francis told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ that he fees Brendan Rodgers' side has struggled without star strikers Luis Suarez (now with Barcelona) and Daniel Sturridge (injured) and believes it is up to the current crop of players to turn things around at Anfield.
"It's not just their form in Europe, it's been their form all season," Francis said.
"They have been a shadow of the team they were last season.
"They've obviously lost Suarez and with Daniel Sturridge being out that's a big problem for any team. I certainly feel Suarez was really, really important to them last year.
"Manchester United (this weekend) is obviously a massive game so that will lift the players anyway.
"It's really going out there and performing as a collective unit and staying together and seeing if they can pick up some points because they need to get into the top four if they want to get back into the Champions League next year."
