John Barnes has also warned against overreliance on individual quality as Liverpool's struggles compared to last season continue
Marc Guehi made the switch to Manchester City despite interest from Liverpool almost culminating in his deadline day arrival from Crystal Palace in summer 2025View Image
Liverpool legend John Barnes has told the club they missed an opportunity to strengthen Arne Slot's starting XI this window by opting against signing one of their long-term targets.
Barnes discussed his former club's current woes and had his say on what Liverpool need in the transfer market after missing out on England international centre-back Marc Guehi to rivals Manchester City.
The Anfield great said: "Marc Guehi would've improved Liverpool’s starting XI. The centre-back position is an area where there is room to strengthen, but there's no point crying over spilled milk now that he's made the move to Manchester City.
"In terms of an alternative to Guehi, I don't think there's anyone available who would improve on what Liverpool already have at the back. Liverpool don't need to sign anyone in January.
"The solution to Liverpool's problem is not signing more players. The club spent record amounts of money in the summer and they have all the players they need at their disposal.
"There aren't any realistic transfer targets that are better than what Liverpool already have and the starting XI wouldn’t improve. Throwing cash at the problem isn't the answer."
Guehi joined City in a £20m deal as the player Liverpool came so close to capturing in the summer transfer window entered the final six months of his contract at Crystal Palace.
The ECHO understands the Reds did not regard signing the 25-year-old this month as a market opportunity compared to last September and this coming summer, and therefore did not make a late effort to gazump Pep Guardiola's side.
Guehi made his debut for City on Saturday, helping them to a 2-0 home win over Wolves. Later in the afternoon, Liverpool's difficult season suffered a new blow as they were beaten late on 3-2 at Bournemouth.
The Reds' tactics have been questioned this season, with fans growing frustrated with head coach Slot's repeated references to the need for individual quality to break down the low-block defences a team of Liverpool's stature must face nearly every week.
That wasn't the case against Bournemouth, however, and wasn't the case in the impressive 3-0 Champions League win at Marseille, where Barnes saw green shoots but warned of the dangers of relying too heavily on star quality.
Barnes, speaking to the Covers.com World Cup betting team, said: "Liverpool's win over Marseille was a good result and performance; it's now about replicating that on a consistent basis. I've played at the Stade Velodrome and it can be a really intimidating place to play if you're the away side.
"They controlled the game well and ensured they limited their emotions in terms of engaging the home fans. But this Liverpool team is more than capable; they have a great manager and world class players.
"Once they overcome this current phase and bond together a bit more as a team, they'll be back challenging for the Premier League title; Liverpool with a strong, established pattern of play are very dangerous.
"They can be a real threat given the age and profile of the squad. For large parts of this season, Liverpool have relied on individuals like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
"They are doing individual things rather than working as a team together, which is what can happen when a team has so many talented players who were all the main players in their previous clubs.
Find more about Marc Guehi opens up on how close he came to £35m Liverpool transfer - 'Shut my mouth'
Find more about Liverpool star Federico Chiesa in transfer update as 'agreement reached'
Find more about Liverpool transfer latest: Van de Ven swap deal presents itself amid world-record fee demand
Find more about Liverpool transfer latest: £87m transfer price set as Slot eyes relegation-threatened star
"When that threat is shared throughout the squad, they can be nearly impossible to beat."