Liverpool have endured a nightmare start to the 2022/2023 Premier League.
After going within a point of the title last campaign and beating Manchester City in the Community Shield prior to the kick-off of the new season, expectations were higher than ever around Anfield.
But three games in, the Reds are yet to pick up their first win, sit 16th in table and put in an embarrassing display as they were beaten 2-1 away to Manchester United.
Fan anger has been building about a lack of new additions to the squad, especially in the midfield.
With many suggesting that Jurgen Klopp's loyalty to his players has led the German to be less ruthless than required when it comes to axing players that are just too old.
So, taking that into consideration, we've decided to conduct our very own forensic analysis on the Liverpool squad.
We've allocated every player a position across five categories that range from 'sell immediately' to 'world class' - with the overall aim of deciphering what deadwood needs removing and where improvements can be made.
A forensic analysis of the Liverpool squad
'Sell immediately'
Nathaniel Phillips, Sepp van den Berg, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The two young centre-backs aren't up to the level required to feature in the Liverpool first-team on a long term basis.
They could be an asset to a Championship club, though, and a move could help in furthering their own development.
Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain is unfortunately just too injury prone to be relied upon at a top club.
Shifting the Englishman onto somewhere like Southampton or Aston Villa would be an ideal solution for both parties.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Porto at Anfield on November 24, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
'Not good enough'
James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Curtis Jones, Adrian
Liverpool fans will always be indebted to Milner and Firmino, of that, there is absolutely no debate.
However, Milner's now a 36-year-old veteran and simply cannot be starting regularly in a midfield that should be one of the finest in Europe.
He left Man City for more game time as as a 29-year-old, so the fact he's getting that at their main rival seven years down the line is quite frankly surprising.
Things are slightly different in the case of Firmino. The Brazilian is still only 30, but there can be no denying that his level of performance has nose-dived across the past two seasons.
He's had ample opportunity to restore his form, now it's time to cut ties and bring in some fresh blood.
Jones, we'd be slightly more hesitant over letting go as we feel the young academy graduate could still improve. It's just how high does the lad's ceiling really go? For now, that seems difficult to judge.
Whereas Adrian is a competent third-choice keeper if he's happy to remain in that capacity but nothing more.
'Squad player'
Jordan Henderson, Kostas Tsimikas, Caoimhin Kelleher, Diogo Jota, Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott, Calvin Ramsay, Naby Keita, Joe Gomez
Plenty of excellent players in this category then, mixed in with a couple of young stars with big futures.
Probably the most notable and controversial inclusion of all here is Liverpool's captain, Henderson.
An exceptional leader and an even better bloke, we're not for one minute suggesting that he should be moved on or even stripped of his tag as skipper.
But there's no doubt that there are better midfielders across Europe than the 32-year-old, ones that would vastly improve Liverpool's squad.
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Bring in a top class centre midfielder and Henderson can still be utilised throughout the season, both as an on and off-pitch asset.
Tsimikas and Ramsay are both useful back-ups at full-back, although the Scotsman has had little opportunity to prove himself just yet.
Whilst Elliott and Carvalho, the two former Fulham starlets, represent real potential for the future as well as a touch of finesse when needed for the current moment.
Jota, much like Henderson, can potentially count himself unlucky to come into the 'squad player' category, but his placing here is simply down to the sheer quality of his teammates.
The Portuguese is still a top, top player for Liverpool to have in their roster.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Fabio Carvalho of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on August 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
'First-team quality'
Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, Fabinho, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz
To make this category the players really had to be almost pushing the 'world class' tag themselves.
Robertson, Fabinho and Diaz in particular all came relatively close, especially the Scotsman, given he's arguably the best in the world in his position.
Whilst Konate and Matip undoubtedly represent two of the best centre backs in the Premier League.
Liverpool's new big-money acquisition in Nunez has certainly enjoyed a topsy-turvy start to his Anfield career after being sent off in his first home game, however the Uruguayan's ability is there for everyone to see.
A clear goal threat with explosiveness to match a prime Fernando Torres, the sky really is the limit for the South American star.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JULY 21: Luis Diaz of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC at Red Bull Arena on July 21, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
'World class'
Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Alcantara, Mohamed Salah
This lot picked themselves, no?
You've arguably got three or four players that are the best in the world in their positions, although not on recent form it must be said.
With Alexander-Arnold and the usually ultra-consistent Van Dijk putting in some questionable displays.
Nevertheless, you can guarantee that all five of these stars are walking into pretty much any team in the world.
