Liverpool fans must wish they could rewind the clocks back a few weeks after their recent run of form.
Of their last seven games in all competitions, the Reds have only won one, and unsurprisingly, it’s left their season looking pretty fruitless.
They needed a replay to beat Plymouth in the FA Cup, they lost to Swansea and drew with Sunderland in the league, and lastly, they were sent out of the League Cup by Southampton on Wednesday night.
With no European football to enjoy, Jurgen Klopp needs to do pull something off in the league to ensure his team haven’t had a completely wasted campaign.
However, there is something inevitable about their recent demise.
Liverpool were top in November before the international break, but they’ve had countless problems since then which they’ve found difficult to overcome.
Philippe Coutinho was on the sidelines for a long spell, and Joel Matip now faces difficulties regarding whether he’s eligible to play because of his situation with Cameroon.
The biggest absentee, though, has probably been Sadio Mane, who is at the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Klopp knew this hiccup would arrive in January, but it would perhaps be overly dramatic to sign players especially to cover for the top scorer, who is only away for around a month.
Even so, Jamie Carragher believes it’s Liverpool’s strength-in-depth that’s cost them, which certainly rings true looking at their bench against Southampton.
“I just look at it now and all season it’s been about Liverpool maybe going for the title – but that squad, you’d never think it would be good enough to win the league,” the former centre-back told Sky Sports.
“Out of the top six, Liverpool’s is probably the sixth best squad or the sixth best team. But they are where they are because of the manager and no Europe.
“Now, with them running out of the legs, that energy, we’re maybe seeing what this Liverpool squad is. And when we’re talking about squad, you look at that bench and it’s nowhere near big enough or strong enough.”
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