Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister believes that the club need captain Steven Gerrard fit to lead the team’s stuttering summer signings by example.
The likes of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing all arrived at Anfield in the close season to varying degrees of success so far in their careers under manager Kenny Dalglish.
“I think since Kenny’s come back, there’s been an obvious improvement,” McAllister told The Liverpool Echo.
“I think there’s been some big signings during the summer – like everything else they need time to settle.
“Stewart Downing has been a great addition, Charlie Adam is a player I really admire, it just takes time for these players to gel in to the Liverpool way but there’s no better teacher than Kenny Dalglish.
“I think the one thing that’s missing from the midfield is the leadership of Steven Gerrard. I think Henderson, Adam and Downing would have benefited if the captain had been there to lead by example.
“It’s just been a wee bit unfortunate that during their brief period at the club the captain has been missing.”
Gerrard, 31, has not featured for the Reds since their Premier League draw with Manchester United on October 22, with an ankle infection having kept him on the sidelines.
The England man played with McAllister during the Scot’s two-year tenure at Anfield between 2000 and 2002, a time during which the Reds won a League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup treble in 2000-01.
Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League table on 26 points, five away from the Champions League places.