Liverpool dodged a bullet in Draxler and should get Griezmann to add X-factor.

Liverpool dodged a bullet in Draxler and should get Griezmann to add X-factor Says Murphy

The ex-Republic of Ireland international believes the Reds should "pull out all the stops" to beat the likes of Manchester United to the Atletico Madrid forward

Liverpool "dodged a bullet" by missing out on Julian Draxler but should do all they can to sign Antoine Griezmann, according to former Republic of Ireland international Eamon Dunphy.

The Reds were among those linked with Draxler prior to the completion of his switch from Wolfsburg to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Germany international is a player held in high regard, but has struggled to produce his best of late and Dunphy feels he would have been the wrong fit at Anfield.

Instead, he believes Jurgen Klopp should be urging his board to make a move for Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with Manchester United, but no agreement has been put in place as yet and a player with "the X-factor" remains up for grabs if a suitable deal can be pieced together.

Dunphy wrote in his column for the Irish Daily Star: "I do think they have dodged a bullet in the shape of Julian Draxler.

"Draxler has never impressed me. I don't think he would have added anything to the Liverpool team.

"The player that would make a massive difference is Antoine Griezmann.

"Klopp should pull out all the stops to get him. He would give Liverpool the x-factor."

Additions are expected at Anfield over the coming weeks, and Dunphy believes value can be found in a tricky market that will help keep Liverpool in Premier League title contention.

He added: "It can be hard to find quality in January, but it's not impossible either.

"Remember both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were Liverpool signings in this month.

"They could do with a couple of recruits to give them a chance to rein Chelsea in.”

Liverpool sit six points behind the Blues at present, with Antonio Conte’s side having won 13 successive top-flight fixtures.

The Reds have, however, pieced together a positive run of their own, with a 1-0 win over fellow title hopefuls Manchester City on New Year’s Eve their fourth straight success.