Jamie Carragher: Liverpool should forget about signing big-name stars like Karim Benzema

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has told his former club to forget about trying to sign the likes of Karim Benzema. The Reds have been linked with big-money moves for various strikers in recent months, but Carragher has warned them to set their sights at a realistic level.

In the immediate term, Carragher told the fans to throw their support behind Daniel Sturridge, who has struggled with injuries this season and was a peripheral figure during the club's League Cup loss to Manchester City.

"[Daniel] Sturridge didn't perform well. Liverpool need to keep him though, as there are very few quality strikers out there. He is one of Liverpool's few real technical players," the pundit told Sky Sports following Liverpool's League Cup defeat.

"They can't get the likes of a [Karim] Benzema. [Christian] Benteke cost £30m ($41.5m) and he couldn't even get on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Carragher also admitted defeat at Wembley had rendered this a poor season for Liverpool. "A lot was riding on today as it's been a poor season. Not just for the club, but for the manager [Jurgen Klopp] if he's to be successful then they've got to win trophies and this was his first shot at it," said Carragher, who spent his whole career with Liverpool.

"However, he's aware there's problems in this squad. There's not enough quality, they're not good enough."

The Liverpool legend added: "Where they are in terms of the other teams and what they can win in terms of trophies, this is it. They're not good enough to win the Premier League or the Europa League. They have Manchester United next in that tournament so it will be like a cup final."