Former Liverpool player John Aldridge has caused a major stir by suggesting that a lack of a recognised striker has hampered the Reds title challenge this season.Jurgen Klopp's side currently lie third in the table, eighteen points behind runaway league leaders Manchester City.Summer signing Mohamed Salah has already scored 27 goals in his debut season, whilst Roberto Firmino has 19 himself.The Brazilian striker is adored by the Anfield faithful and Klopp is always eager to heap praise on him."He [Firmino] is a fantastic football player," said Liverpool's German manager in January. “You see him in training and think ‘what a work ethic, what an attitude’, and he brings it on the pitch as well.“He never rests. You have to pull him out, you have to tell him ‘come on, stop, sit here, calm’.“I’m pretty sure if I give the players the opportunity to have a free choice in training (to) build teams by themselves Bobby is one of the first they would pick."

What John Aldridge said about Firmino

The 59-year-old pundit, who scored 50 league goals for Liverpool in two seasons, has shared his controversial opinion on Liverpool's frontman.

Most experts would suggest Liverpool's failure to challenge Man City comes down to their substandard defence.

"Salah has been remarkable," said Aldridge, as per Sky Sports. If you look at what he's done from a wide perspective - as a winger - and to be a goal behind Harry Kane in the golden boot is absolutely amazing. He's only had one penalty this season, he's been awesome."

"(Roberto) Firmino is a great player but if we'd have had a spearhead goalscorer who gets you 25 or 30 goals a season who knows how far we'd have been behind Man City."

Aldridge could've spoken about Liverpool's lack of back-up options up front - but to suggest Klopp needs to replace the 26-year-old striker is frankly ridiculous.

Liverpool fans react

It evoked plenty of anger from Reds supporters on Twitter.

They're spot on - Aldridge was way off the mark.