Graeme Souness has called on Liverpool to hand captain Virgil van Dijk a new contract, insisting the defender is still improving, and has pointed to Dominik Szoboszlai as a factor in the club's inconsistent start to the season.
Van Dijk, 35, sees his current deal at Anfield expire next summer, with no decision yet made on an extension. Despite his age, Souness believes the Dutchman merits a fresh offer.
Van Dijk 'Rolls-Royce' deserves another year
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football ahead of the release of his new book 'Graeme Souness: My Rangers', the former Reds star said: "I think there's still life left in Virgil, but what is he 35 now? I think there's definitely another year left on him.
"I mean, people criticized him when he got that terrible injury from the Everton goalkeeper Pickford, but he came back from that and it's a lazy thing to say, he's not the same player. I didn't see that.
"I think [Ibrahima] Konate was a difficult player to be playing with. I see there's still life left in Virgil. I'll be giving him another year anyway with an option to take a second year because he's a Rolls-Royce of a player. And if anything, he's got better the longer he's been at Liverpool.
"I mean that's one. He's a Rolls-Royce. He's always been a Rolls-Royce. But as you get older, your brain should be kicking in and even seeing things earlier."
Szoboszlai midfield concern under Iraola
Van Dijk has already played a key role under new boss Andoni Iraola, though Liverpool have made a slow start. Souness is confident the Spaniard will turn things around but has reservations about Szoboszlai's influence.
He added: "I've not seen enough of them. But I do like the manager. I live down in Poole. I've seen Areola work at Bournemouth and he was a fabulous manager or coach there.
"Bournemouth are one of the best teams to watch. High intensity front foot football. And he was responsible for that. He knows what he's doing.
"And why Liverpool made a slow start, I don't know. I think the bits I've seen on television, maybe the intensity when they don't have the ball from their midfield, which in turn makes you vulnerable. It's not just center backs not doing their job or the goalkeeper having a bad game.
"A lot of it can be traced back to the midfield not putting the ball under pressure. When you don't have it, working the players who are in possession to keep their heads down so they can't pick a cute pass against you.
"I think Szoboszlai is a fabulous player with the ball. I just think that area there in midfield is a key. I think if they can keep Isak fit and get Ekitike back, they've got goals in the team. I just think the midfield is not the best when they don't have the ball."
Souness on Lampard and Rangers
Souness also revealed he was impressed by Frank Lampard during the interview process for the Rangers job, having been part of the panel. He said: "I was mighty impressed by him. He's had his knocks as a manager and, given he was such a successful player and is financially independent, he still wanted to take on the mad house that exists in the west of Scotland.
"I'll come back to the fact that if you finish second, you're deemed a failure. And he would have known all that because his wife is from Northern Ireland and I believe the family are Rangers supporters. He would have known that but he's still desperate for that job and I was very impressed by him when I interviewed him.
"It just wasn't my choice. That's the one that was my first choice. They went for Philippe Clement who I think is a very good manager.
"And I think if Philippe Clement had the backing that these Americans are now giving their managers, I think he might still be there. But that's been and gone."
