Eight-time Premier League winner and pundit Gary Neville has suggested the sale of striker Darwin Nunez could cost Liverpool the title.
Arne Slot's side are currently four points clear of second-placed Arsenal, with a game in hand before their weekend clash against Brentford.
Nunez has scored just two league goals this season, started just seven games and was linked with a move away in January.
Liverpool have reportedly knocked back interest in the Uruguayan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, and Neville believes they should hold out at least until the summer.
“If I am the owner, I tell the sporting director and coach that we have to accept that offer,” he said. “But would it cost us the competition?
“The coach can sit there very relaxed, but the sporting director will think he wants to take that money. Does that fall short of Arne Slot?
“I would keep him. I would keep him until the end of the season because I don't want to risk the league. He is streaky and can score a bunch of goals.”
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Nunez scored 18 goals for the Reds last season and stepped in this season following injuries to the front line.
The fitness issues of Liverpool's other strikers were the only doubt for former defender Jamie Carragher, who alongside Neville also contributes to The Overlap podcast.
“The mystery is that Liverpool have that [Diogo] Jota is another option up front but he is very injury-prone so you could be shortchanging yourself a bit,” he said.
“If you are sure that that offer will come in the summer, you will probably keep it [in January] but if you're not sure if there will be any money this summer, it's a lot of money.
“I would take the risk to sell him. Under Jurgen Klopp he was doing well, it wasn't great, but it was OK because of that crazy football, he used his pace and had a lot of shots.
“It's a bit slower and measured [under Arne Slot] and he almost just stands there, it's not ideal for him.
“If Liverpool can get £70 million back for him, that's a great thing, a great thing. You've got to roll the dice on that, I think. If it was under Klopp I'd keep him, but it's up to him this moment is over.”
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