Jordan Henderson has recognised Liverpool's 3-0 drubbing at Brighton and Hove Albion as perhaps their worst performance during Jurgen Klopp's seven-year reign on Merseyside - admitting that a lack of confidence is rife throughout the Reds' squad.
A brace from Solly March and a well-taken late strike from former Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck condemned Jurgen Klopp's side to their sixth Premier League defeat of the season - in just their 18th outing.
Once again, questions were asked of the midfield as Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara struggled to land a glove on their Brighton counterparts, with Liverpool-linked Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister dominating proceedings in the centre of the pitch.
LFC RATINGS: Henderson and others absolutely dreadful in new low
For the Reds, it means their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League hang by a thread as they now trail fourth-placed Newcastle United by seven points, with fixtures against Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United all on the horizon.
Speaking after the defeat, Henderson acknowledged that there have been issues lingering at Anfield, less than 24 hours after manager Jurgen Klopp finally conceded that last season's 63-game campaign had negatively impacted this season's fortunes, but called for unity.
"Everything," said Henderson, when asked what went wrong on the south coast. "Everything went wrong from the start to the end. Brighton were better than us in all departments. It's a real low point as a team. We have to stay together.
"It's a tough moment but we need to get together, stay together and try and change things quickly. We have to try and learn and show a reaction.
"There wasn't one thing. It was numerous things and it hasn't been right for a little while now. Everybody knows that. We know we can be better. I'll take responsibility and the lads will. We have to try to put it right.
The midfielder later recognised that Saturday's thrashing was possibly the worst performance of a Liverpool side since Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers at Anfield in October 2015.
"Probably," added the midfielder. "I can't remember another one. A really tough day. We're pretty low on confidence. The energy level is low. Everything. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to keep fighting and hopefully we can change it sooner rather than later.
"Of course it's really disappointing. We know we can play better and give even more. But you have to keep working.
"But you've got to keep working, you've got to keep going. There's no point in just sitting feeling sorry for ourselves. Like I said, the games are coming thick and fast – one midweek against Wolves and then Chelsea at the weekend. So, big games coming up and you've just got to keep your head down, work together, stay together as a team. Because this is the moment where people can think individually and do their own thing – but it's important we stay together and come through this, and it'll make us stronger in the end."
And discussing the mood in the dressing room, Henderson said: "Not good, as you can imagine. Pretty low, low on confidence – you can see that when we're playing – energy levels low, everything. Like I said, it's no good feeling sorry for ourselves. I've been through moments like this in my career and you've got to keep fighting, you've got to keep going and hopefully we can change it sooner rather than later.
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