Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has identified what Arne Slot will need to add to the Liverpool squad if he is confirmed as the club's new boss.
The Dutchman is on the verge of succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hot-seat and will inherit a Reds squad that just missed out on challenging for the Premier League title this season.
Speaking exclusively to DAZN thanks to NewBettingSites.uk, Warnock believes that before Liverpool can challenge once again, they will need to bolster their squad - particularly in the centre of the park.
He said: "The biggest thing for me, is that they've got great attacking players, but the defensive side of things needs shoring up, and they need athleticism in midfield - I think it's huge.
"I think it's one of the most powerful things in football in the modern day. If you look at Real Madrid, who went up against Manchester City and you've got [Eduardo] Camavinga in there and [Aurelien] Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham. I mean, you look at the quality of players.
They're athletes. These are guys you can run over the top of you.
"I look at Declan Rice. I mean, he's just a machine, isn't he? And that is that power that you need in midfield. And I think that's what I'd look at if I was going in at Liverpool."
Live on DAZN: Check your region for PFL and PFL Europe on DAZN. Click here for details.