Sami Hyypia reckons Liverpool need more leaders as they look to take charge of Champions League group against Maribor

SAMI HYYPIA has taken a pot shot at Liverpool’s defending this season – saying the players need to step up and act like leaders.

The former Finland international and Kop mainstay at the back reckons Jurgen Klopp’s side have not been effective enough at both ends of the pitch this season.

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Hyypia played 464 times for the Reds over ten seasons between 1999 and 2009 – and won the Champions League in 2005.

His partnership with the likes of Jamie Carragher was legendary for their victory over AC Milan in Istanbul after the came back from the death to draw 3-3 and win on penalties.

But he reckons the lack of leadership has been telling this season under German Klopp.

Hyypia said on BT Sport: “There’s not enough leaders in the team, someone needs to take charge on the field, communication is everyone’s responsibility.

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“You can help your team-mates with communication if you do it together.”

Liverpool face Maribor tonight in Champions League with the home side given a huge chance to take charge of the group against a team they beat 7-0 in Slovenia.

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Sat alongside Michael Owen, the former Brighton and FC Zurich manager has challenged his former club to show more improvement.

The 44-year-old added: “Of course it’s not going great. Everyone wants to win all the games and when that doesn’t happen there’s something wrong.

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“I can see problems at both ends of the pitch.

“They’re not effective enough up front and then doing mistakes and conceding goals at the back.

“They are creating a lot of chances, not scoring enough and then conceding easy goals.”