Steven Gerrard feels his Liverpool team is struggling in the absence of an out-and-out striker.
The Anfield club failed to progress in the Champions League after their 1-1 draw with FC Basel in their final group stage match on Tuesday night which ended with the Reds scoring just five times.
In the Premier League, Liverpool have netted just 19 times in stark contrast to last season and the captain believes it is down to the absenteeism of the injured Daniel Sturridge and the fact that summer signing Mario Balotelli has not yet fired for his new club.
"What's crucial is that we try and get our main striker (Sturridge) back who is capable of getting us the goals to get us into the top four," he told ITV.
"We need to try and get Mario Balotelli back firing as well. If we can get goals in the team it gives us a better chance, but at the moment it's a bit of a roller coaster, it's tough."
Liverpool, who now drop into the Europa League, next meet Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.
