Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has criticised the current Reds squad, describing it as "characterless" and "leaderless".

Brendan Rodgers's side sits ninth in the Premier League table with seven points from five games, and was left reeling following a comprehensive 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.

Lawrenson told BBC Sport: "The worst defeat for Liverpool was West Ham at home before the international break, that was such an inept performance.

"But [against Man Utd] there was no width, they didn't create too many chances, and everyone was giving the ball away. But the biggest thing for me was that they looked characterless. There was no reaction after they went behind.

"They are leaderless. Jordan Henderson is back soon but there is nobody like Jamie Carragher, no Steven Gerrard. The players are all looking out for themselves."

Liverpool's next game is at Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday evening.