Former Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique has questioned the club’s decision to sign forward Cody Gakpo in January.
Gakpo has failed to hit the ground running for Liverpool since arriving from PSV Eindhoven, having failed to score in any of his first five games for the club.
And Enrique believes the addition may have been a mistake.
“It’s early days with Gakpo, but I’m not certain he was the right signing for Liverpool,” he said.
“What I’ve seen in the first few games has not changed my mind, but it’s early days and I hope he becomes a big success at Liverpool.
“When I look at Arsenal signing Trossard, I would have been tempted to look to sign him. However, his age doesn’t fit the profile of the players Liverpool are looking to sign right now.
“I think Liverpool were missing a midfielder and I don’t mean spending £100m plus on Bellingham. There are a lot of players out there who I think could have improved the squad, helped bolster numbers, give more energy to the midfield and support the front three.
“So, evaluating Liverpool’s transfer window right now, it does feel disappointing.”
Enrique spent five years on Merseyside between 2011 and 2016, winning the League Cup in 2012.
The former Newcastle United man now believes strengthening the midfield must be a priority in the summer transfer window if Liverpool are to get back to their best.
“It’s not so much about names, as it is about the profile of the player,” he added.
“(Sofyan) Amrabat is a name that has been thrown about for the holding midfield. Bellingham would be the best signing and that’s why everyone wants him, but being realistic he’s probably too expensive if they want to rebuild the team, which I think they need to do.
“Instead of going for players like Thiago and Keita, they should go back for players like (Conor) Gallagher, who are technically good, but have amazing work rate.
“In an ideal world you want the younger version of Jordan Henderson. He has the ability to do things, maybe not at the level of Keita or Thiago, but every game he gives 100%, up and down, box to box. That’s the kind of player I’d be looking for.”
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