John Arne Riise: What Liverpool signings Jurgen Klopp must make this summer

John Arne Riise says Liverpool need to sign four players to strengthen their spine in the summer transfer window.

The Reds are in sixth place in the Premier League table and six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City after Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

They need a new goalkeeper, a new centre-back, a new central midfielder and a striker

John Arne Riise

Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled to find a level of consistency in the Premier League since the German took over the reins from Brendan Rodgers in October.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager signed teenager Marko Grujic in a £5.5m deal from Red Star Belgrade and Steven Caulker on loan from Queens Park Rangers in January.

Former Liverpool defender Riise, who was part of the club’s Champions League-winning side in 2005, believes Klopp needs to have a stronger core heading into the 2016/17 season.

“Look, I love the club and even now, I watch every game when I can so I don’t like to say anything negative,” Riise told Four Four Two.

“But the core needs to be stronger. They need a new goalkeeper, a new centre-back, a new central midfielder and a striker.

“We once had players like Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, who were footballers at the top of their games. We need those types of players at Liverpool again.

“I am sure Klopp already has some ideas on who he wants in, but a big name is needed to make the fans believe again.”

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Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night.