“The Reds have a lot to work on to challenge again,” says the former Kop hero.
“We lack grades”
Liverpool “lack personality” and need to work harder to compete in the Premier League this season, according to former Liverpool favourite John Aldridge.
Liverpool won the Premier League in 2025, but were light years behind last season. The Reds eventually finished in 5th place – 25 points behind league champions Arsenal – which cost manager Arne Slot his job.
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Andoni Iraola has taken over and had a quiet summer so far. With Mo Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté out of the club, Aldridge believes the squad is thin on experience.
“There were personalities all over the squad two or three years ago, but I think they lack that now,” Aldridge told 101 Great Goals.
“Players like James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson are exactly what you want in the dressing room – and they’re hard to replace.
“The best teams I played in had grades. They made training fun – you laughed and looked forward to being together – but you also worked really hard. You have to be serious when the time calls for it, but it’s still important to have fun and build team spirit.
“They were not well enough trained – mentally or physically”
Aldridge won both the league and FA Cup with Liverpool in the 1980s, before having a goal-scoring spell in Spain and later a long spell as manager of Tranmere Rovers.
He wants to see more from Liverpool’s players this season – and doesn’t buy the argument that they are overworked.
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“I liked the honesty of Andoni Iraola when he came out and said that the players didn’t have the energy to play 90 minutes. We could all see it last year – they lost too many points in the final minutes. They were not well enough trained, neither physically nor mentally. What we saw from them last year was not what a Liverpool team should be.
“They had injury problems, but you can’t use that as an excuse to be dismissed by the opponent. Chelsea only outscored their opponent twice last year – and both times it was against Liverpool. That should not happen against Liverpool.
“The players burnt out? I don’t buy it!”
Aldridge is clear about what he thinks about the burnout debate:
“When it comes to the conversation about players ‘burning out’, I’m probably a bit of a dinosaur. After the World Championships in 1994, I was 36, soon to be 37. I only had eight days off – and I trained every day – then I went straight back to playing for Tranmere in Division 2. I needed rest, and at that age it’s tough, but I still did really well.
“I don’t buy it when people say that players are burnt out. How can the Liverpool players be burnt out when they have effectively had 12 months of rest, looking at how they played last year? They are young, fit, getting the best nutrition and the best training – just get started!
“Liverpool are being held hostage by PSG”
Liverpool have signed Victor Muñoz this summer, but still lack width in attack. A move for PSG winger Bradley Barcola is still on the table – and Aldridge believes it is an area they need to strengthen.
“It’s a big demand to expect young Rio Ngumoha to fill Mo Salah’s shoes directly,” says Aldridge.
“That said, the crowd loves him – and he’s the new favourite at Anfield. There is an electric atmosphere in the stadium every time he gets the ball.
“Liverpool are being held hostage by PSG right now in the Barcola transfer. As good as he is, PSG are throwing around figures like €140 million – and that’s complete nonsense.
“I think Liverpool need a new winger, because you practically need two starting elevens in the Premier League today.
🗓️ Start of the season
Liverpool start the Premier League season against Newcastle on Sunday 23 August. Then we’ll see if Iraola’s men have taken Aldridge’s criticism to heart! 🔥🔴
