IF Liverpool FC’s desperate goalless draw  against Stoke City points to one thing,  it is that Kenny Dalglish needs to buy a  new striker during this month’s transfer window.

We often forget that Liverpool FC have technically been a striker short all season, certainly in comparison to the  leading clubs.

But that is starting to show now. And  I’d have thought Dalglish will be trying  to do something, particularly when you  look at the list of games coming up in  the next few weeks – Manchester City, Manchester United twice, Tottenham Hotspur.

The coaching staff know where the  shortcomings are. Somebody is needed  who can play both alongside Suarez, and as a replacement for when the Uruguayan is unavailable.

From what I saw at the weekend, Liverpool Fc are still not getting enough people into the penalty area.

I’ve mentioned this before. Any winning team needs to get as many players  in the box as they can when attacking.

I was in the gym on Monday morning  and had Liverpool supporters coming  up to me and moaning about the formation Dalglish used on Saturday.

Three centre-backs is all right if the  wing-backs can bomb on because they  don’t have to worry about leaving space  behind them, but there’s no point if  they don’t. And, overall, Jose Enrique  and Glen Johnson didn’t get to the  byline enough.

Stoke had only Peter Crouch up  front. Other than perhaps  the top four  or five, the majority of teams will come  to Anfield looking for a point.

The bottom line is, if you play 3-4-2-1  or a variation, you need to get out wide  and get to the byline and get runners  from midfield. Liverpool didn’t have  any of that.

When Dalglish first took over in the  1980s, we played with three at the back  at times. It can turn into whatever you  think at the time.

When you draw 0-0  it’s five at the back, when you win 4-0  it’s three at the back.

This was probably the first time Liverpool really missed Luis Suarez. He is  an outstanding player, and his runs and  intelligence would have made a difference and posed some serious questions  of the Stoke defence.

Stewart Downing had another disappointing game. The last few times I  have seen him play, it’s obvious that he  has a lot of quality but for me he lacks a  bit of commitment.

He runs at people, then gets to them  and thinks he might lose the ball and  doesn’t take them on.

The rest of the team must feel like  saying ‘take him on, if you lose it, we’ll  deal with it’.

I think it’s a bit of lack of self-belief  and a bit of Downing being overawed  playing for Liverpool.

That’s a little bit strange, as Liverpool supporters will back their players  if they give everything week in, week  out. They’ll accept someone losing the  ball if he’s trying to run at players and  make things happen.

Downing is maybe reading the situation wrong. He’s a good crosser and  relatively two-footed. He just needs to  believe in himself more.

Dirk Kuyt also struggled, but that’s  more a case of it being a long time since  he played as a lone striker. He was better the other week when he played off  Suarez.

It’s different when you are on your  own, and if anything Kuyt is too honest  for his own good by coming back. He  should just stay up front and be a target  man.

But too many of Liverpool’s attacking  players are scratching around at the  moment. They’ve all hit the wall at the  same time.