Liverpool Must Sign More Quality Players To Take Pressure Off Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres - Vladimir Smicer
Goal but it's an exclusive 
Former star disappointed with Reds' poor campaign...
Liverpool's poor season has been caused by an over-reliance on star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, according to former Anfield favourite Vladimir Smicer.
The Czech winger, who made more than 150 appearances for the Reds between 1999 and 2005, told talkaloadofbull.com UK exclusively that whilst Gerrard and Torres remain two of the world's best, Liverpool need more players to step up and ease the burden on the prized pair.
"The team relies too much on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres," he said, "And when you have so much dependence on just two players, there is always a chance that problems will occur.
"Of course Steven and Fernando are two of the best in the world, and Liverpool are lucky to have them, but they also need to add more players on whom they can depend, and take some of the pressure off those two."
In what has been a frustrating campaign for Rafael Benitez's side, Liverpool now look set to finish outside the Premier League's top-four, and miss out on qualification for the Champions League. Smicer admits it is frustrating to see his former side struggling so badly, particularly after running Manchester United so close in last season's title-race.
"Last season they were playing fantastic football," he said. "They were beating Manchester United 4-1 and playing really good stuff, and there was a big expectation for this season.
"For whatever reason, it hasn’t happened, and of course that is disappointing for the supporters and also for the players. It disappoints me of course, because I want to see Liverpool doing well.”
Smicer left Anfield on a high after scoring in the 2005 Champions League final, and though his time at Anfield was littered with niggling injuries and accusations of inconsistency, he insists he has nothing but fond memories of his stay on Merseyside.
"Six years in football is a long time," he says, "And I spent six years at Liverpool so I will always keep a special place for the club in my heart. I enjoyed my time at the club and the supporters were fantastic with me.
"I always look out for Liverpool’s results and follow their progress of course. As I say, to spend six years at a club in football is a long time, and I like to see Liverpool doing well.
"Only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher remain at Liverpool from when I was playing, so it is not easy to stay in touch with the club in some respects.
"But it is great to come back to Liverpool. I have been back only maybe four or five times since I left in 2005, so it is good to come back, and I am lucky as every time I come back to Liverpool I seem to pick the time when there is sunshine!"
Smicer's return to Merseyside comes in a week in which Liverpool marked the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, and the winger says the 96 who lost their lives in 1989 must always be remembered.
"Of course it is a terrible thing, and those who lost their lives should always be remembered," he said, "It is good that Liverpool as a club and as a city can remember the 96 each year, and make sure that they are not forgotten.”
Vladimir Smicer was speaking at the launch of the 2010 European Former Players' Association (EFPA) congress. For more information visit
www.efpa2010.com, or
www.echoarena.com. Alternatively you can contact efpa@paversmith.com.
