Jamie Carragher picks area where Liverpool must spend or risk missing out on Champions League

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Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool could miss out on the Champions League next season if they don't spend on a new defender.The Reds legend warned his former club that they will struggle to finish in the top four of the Premier League table unless a major change at the back is made.Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher claims Arne Slot should have taken leaf from Jurgen Klopp's book with summer transfers!Arne Slot's side cruised to the Premier League title last campaign, but all of their momentum has disappeared this season. Liverpool have already lost more games in 11 matchweeks (five) than they did for their entire title-winning journey (four).

It leaves them down in eighth place in the table and eight points behind league leaders Arsenal.They have only won one of their last six outings, losing four consecutively before a win against Aston Villa at the start of November.READ MORE ON LIVERPOOLAnd a 3-0 thrashing by rivals Manchester City was a poor way to head into the international break this month.Liverpool's struggles have raised some doubts over Slot and the performances of certain players this season.Carragher echoes some of the worries over the Reds and believes they are lacking physicality in their team at the moment."I think there are lots of little things," he said on the Overlap."But if we're being honest, looking at the games they've lost and the type of games they've lost, they can't handle the physicality of the Premier League."Arne Slot wanted to move Liverpool to almost have more football, more goals and entertainment. 5Carragher doesn't think that Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League if they don't sign a defenderCredit: Getty5The Reds are sitting eighth in the Premier League after a poor start to the season"When he played Man City last week, he was talking up Pep [Guardiola] like he was his hero, and he probably is for a lot of coaches.

He's trying to push Liverpool one way and I think the Premier League has gone back in terms of physicality."Carragher then pointed out his concern over their withering title chances and where exactly he thinks they need to improve in the upcoming January transfer window.He said: "I don't think this group of players is equipped to win the Premier League this year, even with the points and how far behind they are."Maybe in January [they'll need to recruit], more physicality, more pace, more power. "I think if Liverpool don't sign a defender in January, they could miss out on the Champions League."5Slot may be looking at spending in January to solve his side's defensive issuesCredit: GettyLiverpool's defensive woesSo far this season, Liverpool have only kept three clean sheets in 11 Premier League games.And they've only had one more shutout this term, which came in the Champions League against Real Madrid of all teams.Slot's men have let in 17 league goals and have only scored 18 themselves, conceding another eight in other competitions.They are concerning numbers so early in the campaign, with title rivals Arsenal only conceding five in the top flight, Man City letting in eight and Chelsea 11.Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been unable to replicate their previous form and that has led to criticism.Konate has come under fire for his performances specifically, amid rumours of a potential move to Madrid.5Konate has faced some criticism this season over his performancesCredit: Getty5Liverpool could move for Marc Guehi again should they look to spend this winterCredit: GettyWho could Liverpool sign?Some Liverpool fans may look to their summer transfer drama as a reason why they've struggled at the back.