Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has questioned their pursuit of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Belgian has been the subject of two offers from Liverpool, with Saints demanding 50m to sell.
Lavia was left on the bench for Saints' opening night win against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday in their Championship opener.
"Again, this is a potential player we are talking about," said Nicol. "If Liverpool want to be pushing anybody for the Premier League title, the Champions League or any of the big prizes, they need somebody who is going to be playing now and who is going to do the job.
"They can't wait on a Lavia getting better or hoping that Curtis Jones can fill in. That doesn't get you Premier League or Champions League titles.
"So, it's a big problem right now."