Liverpool Transfer News: Jamie Carragher Demands Defensive Buys, Latest Rumours

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has urged his old club to spend funds this summer on rebuilding an ailing defence. Specifically, the Sky Sports pundit thinks manager Jurgen Klopp must find a new goalkeeper and a better left-back.

Speaking on Sky Sports (h/t Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo), Carragher made his feelings clear about stopper Simon Mignolet and full-back Alberto Moreno:

"

The left-back has to come out of the team. This is not a one-off today in terms of the goal.

...

The goalkeeper has made some outstanding saves today, but just because you make some outstanding saves doesn't mean you should be allowed to concede a goal like that. And that is not just today.

"

Carragher was referring to Mignolet's weak attempt to rebuff Fernandinho's shot during the first half of Liverpool's Capital One Cup final defeat to Manchester City. Belgian 'keeper Mignolet simply let the Brazilian's straight shot roll underneath him at Wembley.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It was City's only goal in a game the Reds would eventually lose on penalties after extra time, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty. Despite producing a series of solid stops after that, the early gaffe ultimately defined Mignolet's day, according to Andy Hunter of the Guardian.

These issues are far from a one-off with Mignolet, and the problems reportedly already have Liverpool considering alternatives. One such option is Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, per Carl Long of the Sun.

As for Moreno, his defensive nous and discipline, or lack thereof at Wembley, were questioned by Echo reporter James Pearce:

This isn't the first time an ex-Liverpool defender has called on the Anfield club to invest heavily this summer. Recently, decorated former centre-back Alan Hansen told George Cooper of the Independent he believes Klopp needs to spend £200 million to build a team that can win the Premier League title.

Like Carragher, Hansen made it clear where the money should be spent: “The manager will have to be looking at two goalkeepers and a centre-back."

But while Hansen and Carragher are calling for reinforcements in defence, Klopp is reportedly eyeing a new recruit to inspire his team's attack.

Marko Marin on the Radar

According to Italian source Calciomercato.com (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror), Klopp is keen on Chelsea flop Marko Marin. Apparently, the Reds will "consider a bid at the end of the current season."

While he's never reached his potential during an ill-fated first spell in England's top flight, Marin does at least make some sense as a target for Klopp. He's got pace, trickery and exceptional technique.

Those are qualities ideally suited to the type of fluid forward line the former Borussia Dortmund chief is trying to build at Anfield. The 26-year-old is determined to leave Chelsea.

Currently on loan at Trabzonspor, he told Turkish source AMK (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) back in November, how he's anxious to call time on his Stamford Bridge career.

Whether Klopp can revive the career of a now well-travelled player, who hasn't really hit the heights anywhere, is a matter for some debate. But the freedom of movement the German allows his front players may appeal to a freelancer like Marin.

Either way, Carragher and Hansen have it right when they call for their old club to make addressing bigger problems at the back the priority this summer.