Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes the summer's recruitment means Andoni Iraola will be unable to "take the team to the next level" this season at Anfield.
Unbeaten start at Anfield
Iraola reached the international break with an unbeaten record at Anfield, with the Reds winning two and drawing three of their first five league games alongside victories over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Former Bournemouth boss Iraola entered a club in transition in June when he replaced Arne Slot, having lost Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson to free transfers before seeing Curtis Jones sold to Inter.
Liverpool added Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona alongside deals for £123m Bradley Barcola, £34.5m Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, whose £60m summer switch from Rennes was confirmed back in January.
Heskey's verdict on the squad
Heskey, who scored 22 goals for Gerard Houllier's treble-winning squad of 2001, says he has been quietly encouraged by what he has seen so far but noted that the club's squad planning has left the new head coach short in certain areas.
"The scenario you're in isn't necessarily unstable, but there's a dire need to win, and you need to win after a disappointing season," Heskey told PariuriX.com.
"It was clear it was going to be tough for him. I think he did decently, without doing miracles, but to be honest, I don't think he has a squad to do miracles with."
"He's still finding his rhythm with this team. I think he's bringing in a few youngsters like Lewis Koumas and testing the ground to see if he can plug a few holes."
"I just think the squad is not where Liverpool should have had it for him to take the team to the next level."
Nyoni's development praised
Heskey also highlighted the development of young midfielder Trey Nyoni, who has been tipped to fill the void left by Jones's £30m move to Inter in August.
Former England striker Heskey added: "I was coaching at Leicester when Trey Nyoni was there at U16, and for someone so frail and young, his mind was way ahead of everyone else.
"He went to U18 [level], and it was way too easy for him. When I say too easy, it really was too easy. Then he went to U21 and it was the same.
"Trey has this ability to step into new environments and be himself without any pressure, and that shows he's a high-quality player.
"When you're a kid, and you already look like a senior on the pitch, it means you've got something special, right?"
Liverpool return to action when they host Manchester City on October 11.
