Liverpool: Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness shocked by slump | Football News

Sky Sports activities pundits Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher have expressed their alarm at Liverpool’s droop in kind with Carragher warning the reigning Premier League champions might end out of the highest 4.

Jurgen Klopp’s facet suffered a shock 1-0 dwelling defeat to Burnley on Thursday evening, their first loss at Anfield within the league in virtually 4 years.

“I can’t keep in mind a time with so many gamers out of shape on the similar time,” stated Carragher.

After going through Manchester United within the FA Cup this weekend, Liverpool’s subsequent league fixtures are Tottenham (a), West Ham (a), Brighton (h), Man Metropolis (h), and Leicester (a).

“If the subsequent run of video games don’t go effectively then I’ve little question they are going to be effectively out of the title race by the center of February, the top of February,” stated Carragher. “If that occurs then Liverpool will likely be preventing for his or her lives to be within the Champions League subsequent season.”

And former Liverpool captain and supervisor Souness added: “Jurgen has some exhausting pondering to do. A few of these gamers seem like they’re shot. There isn’t any sparkle about them.

“This will likely be an actual take a look at for these gamers. Jurgen will now discover out what he has within the dressing room.”

Carragher: Perception has drained away

3:05

Since scoring seven occasions at Crystal Palace, Liverpool have netted simply as soon as within the final 5 video games and none in any respect of their most up-to-date three fixtures.

And Carragher fears perception has drained out of the Premier League champions.

“They begin good and brilliant and also you suppose it’s one thing to construct on however they simply appear to lose perception and confidence so rapidly that they will truly rating a aim. It’s virtually as in the event that they really feel they should rating within the first half an hour,” he stated.

“Usually, the nice groups, and this Liverpool crew over the previous couple of years, rating loads of late targets however it looks like the assumption utterly goes. Because the clock ticks nearer and nearer to 90 minutes the assumption goes and you can not see how Liverpool can rating actually.

“I can’t keep in mind a time with so many gamers out of shape on the similar time.

“Consider the entrance three and the full-backs by way of offering high quality and assists, issues we have now seen so typically. All 5 of them are nowhere close to their greatest. It’s not simply scoring however it’s basic play.

“Mo Salah comes on and is one on one in opposition to the left-back three or 4 occasions and simply runs straight at him. Firmino’s probability when he comes on. It felt like Alexander-Arnold put so many crosses in and by no means discovered somebody.

“I believe Liverpool supporters will likely be massively annoyed. This crew have achieved one thing for this membership that no person has achieved for therefore lengthy – introduced a title again. They’ll all the time be legends in everybody’s eyes.

“However for no matter purpose in these final 4 or 5 video games it has not simply dropped off however massively dropped. It’s a big fear going ahead. Not simply by way of the title however by way of the highest 4.

“If the subsequent run of video games don’t go effectively then I’ve little question they are going to be effectively out of the title race by the center of February, the top of February. If that occurs then Liverpool will likely be preventing for his or her lives to be within the Champions League subsequent season.”

Souness: Liverpool not the identical crew

For Souness, nonetheless, the priority is not Liverpool’s most up-to-date kind however their kind basically for the previous few months.

“You do not want me to inform you that they aren’t the identical crew as they had been final 12 months,” Souness summarised.

“This has been coming, Liverpool have been a shadow of the crew we have seen for the very best a part of three years. There wasn’t any sparkle tonight, they had been flat after they acquired the ball into the ultimate third and when the time got here to ship, supply was poor time and time once more. They lacked high quality all over.”

“There may be a lot expectation on their shadows due to what they’ve achieved within the final couple of seasons – European champions, Premier League champions. The expectation ranges are there and on their shoulders. It was initially of the season they usually haven’t handled it very effectively.

“That is what makes you a particular crew. It is exhausting sufficient to win it. However to retain it and keep there, 12 months in and 12 months out, that is what makes you a particular crew and proper now this Liverpool crew are usually not up for that problem.”

In full: Gary Neville’s evaluation of Liverpool 0-1 Burnley

What’s subsequent?

For Liverpool, it is one other showdown with Manchester United on Sunday after they meet within the FA Cup at Outdated Trafford. Their subsequent Premier League outing is a visit to Tottenham on Thursday; kick-off 8pm.

It is also an all-Premier League tie for Burnley within the FA Cup this weekend, travelling to Fulham on Sunday. They’ll then welcome Aston Villa within the league on Wednesday; kick-off 6pm.