Graeme Souness blamed Liverpool's poor performance against Aston Villa in part on the grass, insisting all top sides want to play on a "fast pitch".
Liverpool were handed their first defeat of the 2020-21 campaign at Villa Park on Sunday.
Villa ran out 7-2 winners against the reigning Premier League champions, who looked way below their best and a shadow of the team that won the title by 18 points last season.
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Ollie Watkins hit a superb hat-trick for the hosts, while Jack Grealish grabbed a brace and John McGinn and Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley also got in on the act.