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Paul Ince believes Liverpool's attackers need to take more responsibility for their disappointing run of form.

A poor September saw Jurgen Klopp's side win just one in six, and Liverpool were again left frustrated as they failed to make their dominance count in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Spartak Moscow in the Champions League.

Despite creating numerous chances against both Sevilla and Spartak in Europe's premier competition, the Reds are currently stuck on two points in Group E.

Liverpool's defence, by contrast, has been on the receiving end of much criticism this term, but former Reds captain Ince believes such talk would be avoided if the forwards took more of the presentable opportunities that come their way.

Ince said: "Everyone is banging on about Liverpool’s defence. It seems to be the topic of the moment.

"But what people seem to forget is that is that in most games they have loads of chances – and good, clear-cut chances – which they aren’t putting away.

"If they’d have taken a few more of those chances this season – including against Spartak in the Champions League where they drew 1-1 – the game would’ve finished three or 4-0. And if they’d been better in front of goal, no one would be moaning about their defence.

"There’s got to be more onus on those forward players for not getting the ball in the net and being more clinical.

"They’re getting away with it and avoiding the criticism, even though it’s those players at fault for missing golden chances.

"But while everyone bangs on about the defence, the heat is taken off them, and I feel for Klopp, because he can’t put the ball in the back of the net for them."

(Image: Clive Brunskill /Allsport)

Ince, who played for Liverpool from 1997-1999, also gave his take on Klopp's decision to rotate between Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet in goal this season.

Karius is first-choice for Liverpool's Champions League fixtures, with Mignolet preferred domestically, and it's a tactic the former England midfielder doesn't agree with.

"That’s not to say there’s no defensive issues – this switching around of the goalkeeper isn’t working for a start," he added.

"Switching goalkeeper between the league and the Champions League doesn’t work, and their game against Spartak Moscow proved that. Mignolet should have played, not Karius.

"This isn’t the League Cup or the FA Cup we’re on about. It’s the Champions League. You need to take it seriously and play your number one goalkeeper."

Paul Ince was speaking exclusively to Paddy Power News. To read more, visit news.paddypower.com