Former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker says Liverpool cannot win the Premiership this season without Xabi Alonso.

Xabi left Liverpool in the summer for Real Madrid and Lineker wrote in his column for the Mail on Sunday: "Alonso has been a massive loss because Benitez hasn't been able to find anyone to replace him.

"Steven Gerrard is a fantastic player and there will be calls for him to be used in a deeper role against Chelsea but the truth is he is not a particularly strong defensive midfielder.

"Benitez doesn't really trust him in that role; he is so attack-minded, you can't rely on him having the discipline to backtrack and hold his position in front of the defence.

"The real shame for Liverpool is that if Alonso had stayed, you could have made a proper case for them becoming champions. Without him, it severely reduces their chances."