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Jason McAteer says that Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group showed their ambition by giving manager Jurgen Klopp “virtually an open cheque book” last summer - but money wasn’t spent in the right areas.

The former Reds midfielder believes the failure to address the club’s defensive frailties in the transfer window has cost them dear during a disappointing start to the season.

However, McAteer insists the issue wasn’t a lack of funds but Klopp opting not to pursue an alternative centre-back when Southampton refused to sell them Virgil van Dijk.

“When we didn’t get Van Dijk or a new keeper I always felt it would be a feast or famine season in terms of results - we’d either win 4-0 or get beaten 4-1,” McAteer told BeIN Sports.

(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

“I felt it would be like that because of the recruitment in the summer.

“There’s no lack of ambition from the owners. They have given the manager virtually an open cheque book. He had over £150million to spend.

“If Van Dijk had come for £70million and (Naby) Keita for £60million, having bought (Mo) Salah, you’re looking at over £160million there they were willing to outlay.

“Klopp dipped into that money to buy (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain and I’m not too sure why he brought him in. Offensively, we didn’t need strengthening. I thought that was a bit of a strange buy. Maybe he sees it as one for the future.

(Image: The Late Late Show)

“The owners haven’t lacked ambition with the money they have given him, recruitment comes down to the manager. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the players he wanted in the market.

“The problem for me is didn’t have a Plan B. If you can’t get Van Dijk and you know you need a centre half then surely there must be someone else. He didn’t go and buy someone else and now we’re seeing the downside of not doing that.”