Liverpool lost at Anfield for the third consecutive time as their hopes of retaining the title fade
Liverpool’s ambitions of holding onto the Premier League trophy look to have been thwarted, and Alan Shearer believes there is more than one factor at play.
The 4-1 defeat against Manchester City on Sunday may have been notable for two catastrophic errors from Alisson, but there are issues in defence, midfield and attack.
Shearer has pinpointed the knock-on effect to the side’s midfield of the injury problems Klopp’s men have suffered at the back.
Virgil van Dijk has been injured since October’s match against Everton, and Joel Matip will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury against Tottenham in January.
That’s forced Klopp to play the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the centre of defence, and former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle man Shearer has highlighted the impact that’s had on the side’s midfield.
Writing in his BBC Sport column, Shearer said: “What’s gone wrong? Well, of course Liverpool have missed Virgil van Dijk at the back. He is one of the best centre-backs in the world, if not the best, and he has been out injured since October.
“But the fact they have been without Joe Gomez and Joel Matip too meant they have had to shift people around to cover and that has cost them all over the pitch, especially with Jordan Henderson dropping out of midfield to fill in at the back.
“I thought their forwards would keep on scoring to keep getting them results regardless but that has not happened. Their front three have been struggling for form too.
“Something needs to change for the team to get its belief back, and putting Henderson back in his proper position would definitely help.
“They signed two centre-backs – Preston’s Ben Davies and Schalke’s Ozan Kabak – on deadline day last week, so I would suggest putting at least one of them in there as soon as possible so Henderson can return to the centre of midfield.
“They need him there.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
