Liverpool need a top goalscorer like Harry Kane or Romelu Lukaku, insists Jamie Redknapp: 'Daniel Sturridge isn't in the form he'd like to be'

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Liverpool are lacking an out-and-out goalscorer like Harry Kane or Romelu Lukaku and have paid the price for failing to land their transfer targets, insists Jamie Redknapp.

Jurgen Klopp's men have struggled for consistency this season, following up a 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal by getting embarrassed 5-0 by Manchester City the next weekend.

And Sportsmail columnist Redknapp believes his former side need both a reliable goalscorer and an elite centre back, problem areas Liverpool should have addressed in the summer transfer window.

Jamie Redknapp thinks Liverpool are lacking a player like Tottenham and England's Harry Kane

When asked about Liverpool's start to the campaign, which has left them in seventh place after three wins in their opening seven games, Redknapp told Omnisport: 'It's been OK. It hasn't been great.

'With all the frailties, all the problems we knew would be there. For instance, the defending isn't good enough. That's why he wanted to buy a centre back for £60million. 

'Unfortunately when you don't get that player it unsettles the rest of the defence. They have defended poorly'. 

Daniel Sturridge has scored just once in seven Premier League matches so far this season

Romelu Lukaku has netted 12 goals in his last nine matches for both club and country

The Reds missed out on Southampton's £60m-rated defender Virgil van Dijk in the summer and have leaked 12 goals so far, six more than each of the teams in the current top four.

Liverpool's strikers have struggled in front of goal too with Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge managing just three league strikes between them.

And Redknapp says they lack a consistent goalscorer with Sturridge out of form and believes Liverpool are crying out for someone in the mould of Kane or Lukaku. 

'They haven't really got that out-and-out goalscorer. Sturridge isn't in the form that he'd like to be,' Redknapp added.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool face Manchester United at Anfield in Saturday's early kick-off

Klopp been made to rely on midfielders such as Philippe Coutinho for goals this campaign

'You need someone that's going to be like Lukaku or Kane that's going to get you 25 goals a season. They haven't really got that player at the moment'. 

Liverpool face Lukaku's Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday hoping to prevent the Belgian from becoming the first player ever to score eight goals in the first eight Premier League appearances for their new club.

Opponents United have made a barnstorming start to the season, scoring an average of three goals per game and conceding just twice.