Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has told his former club to make a move for Manchester United target Alejandro Balde.

Liverpool’s spending in the transfer market over the past couple of years has been immense, but they are still short in a couple of positions.

This is partly because some of their signings have not worked, with left-back Milos Kerkez among those who have struggled since joining the Premier League giants.

Kerkez is yet to replicate the form he showed for Bournemouth at Andoni Iraola’s side, and it remains to be seen whether he will prove good enough to be Liverpool’s starting left-back for years to come.

And Murphy thinks Liverpool would be wise to turn to the transfer market to sign Balde as a potential upgrade on Kerkez.

“I think Balde could be great for Liverpool…”

Liverpool and Man Utd are being heavily linked with Balde, who could leave Barcelona in January due to his lack of game time.

“I think Liverpool will be looking for a left back but it’s hard because I don’t know Kerkez personally,” Murphy told Betarades.

“I know he’s trying really hard and you can see it in his energy that he cares, and that’s a great start. He cares for the shirt and he’s working really hard to try and make it happen.

“I think Balde could be great for Liverpool because he’s a super talent and he’s also got that experience of being at a huge football club with that expectation. Balde’s a really good player. There’s lots of good players out there and Liverpool will be scouring the world.

“I think the most important thing is trying to bring somebody in who doesn’t make you guess whether he can deal with the pressure of a big club. It’s a delicate balance because Liverpool for years were very good at taking diamonds in from the rough, if you like. Someone like Coutinho, like Robertson, like Mane even from Southampton. Firmino was about £20m.

“Liverpool took those diamonds in the rough and moulded them into these superstars, and then when we’ve tried to go and spend massive money on these already made stars, it’s not quite worked.

“I still think there are times, especially in defensive areas where you really do want ready-made players. Especially when you’re struggling. I think Liverpool have got enough young players now who need to grow. I think now there’s an argument to have a few more players who are maybe a bit more established.”

Murphy has also revealed what he thinks is one of Kerkez’s main problems.

“I sympathize with Kerkez but he needs to work on his composure,” Murphy added.

“He (Kerkez) just lacks composure and quality in the final third when he gets there. Too often his final pass or his cross isn’t good enough. He doesn’t have the composure of an Andy Robertson, and to be fair to him, you are filling the boots of arguably one of the best left-backs Liverpool’s ever had.”

“I think the lack of quality at times is due to the fact he’s very fast. He’s very much 100 miles an hour. I’m surprised they’re not working with him more to slow him down in those areas and to just calm himself.”