Graeme Souness brands Liverpool players 'not good enough' after Watford defeat

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his players have a lot of work to do if they are to turn themselves into a top team, according to Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.

The Reds slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road and are now without a win in December, five points off the top four heading into Christmas.

The home side took an early lead through Nathan Ake after three minutes following a mistake by stand-in goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, deputising for the injured Simon Mignolet.

Odion Ighalo then helped himself to a goal in each half to condemn Liverpool to their second defeat in three games.

For Souness, Watford more than deserved the three points and he believes Liverpool have some major work to do to return to their past glories.

"I don't think the players are good enough and there's a lot of work ahead for them," Souness said on Super Sunday.

"They got off to a terrible start but you are looking for a reaction at that time and for the players to be angry and not to feel sorry for themselves.

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"The bottom line, when you cut away all the excuses, [is] are they good enough? It's not a quick fix. They've got some decent players and some that might get better but it's going to be a long road for them."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers in October and has enjoyed mixed success. Morale boosting wins against Manchester City and Chelsea and been coupled with disappointing results against Newcastle United and West Brom.

Are they strong enough? Are they physical? Can they out-muscle teams? Can they match teams? And they can't.

Fellow guest on Soccer Sunday, John Barnes agreed with Souness and believes the Reds need better players to become a more adaptable and successful team.

"For Liverpool to win, they have to play good football, they have to play the way they played against Manchester City," Barnes said.

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"If they are not able to do that, are they strong enough? Are they physical? Can they out-muscle teams? Can they match teams? And they can't.

"I love Jurgen Klopp, he's a great manager. But at the start when he came I said to not get carried away, thinking all of a sudden things are going to happen. He has good players, don't get me wrong but to be where we want to be we need better players."