Liverpool began 2023 in the worst possible way with a dismal showing against Brentford, a defeat that has cut Jurgen Klopp's side further adrift of the top four.
The Reds' first game back after the World Cup break away to Aston Villa offered hope a positive run of form could be on the horizon, though an unconvincing win versus Leicester City and a bruising evening on Monday has left supporters concerned.
Discussing where things are going wrong and what needs to happen to ensure top four hopes do not fade, four Liverpool supporters have shared their views as part of a regular ECHO fan column.
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Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Injuries are killing us as firepower missing
It's feeling a lot like Groundhog Day after we kicked off the New Year with yet another sucker punch against Brentford. These are worrying times for the Reds; we’ve flickered around beneath the dotted top-four line for too long now, returning from the break looking flat and lacking in tempo and rhythm. With that in mind, I’d expect a strong starting eleven for Wolves at the weekend as a way of getting a plan of action figured out.
I understand why Klopp was quick to play down talk of another signing after we’d just brought in Gakpo, but options off the bench looked incredibly scant against Brentford and my heart sank a little seeing us rely on Curtis Jones to be the catalyst for change.
Harvey Elliott can always offer a much-needed injection of brilliance, but he should have been taken out of the firing line much sooner. I’ve been impressed with Keita’s creativity and how well he’s been looking after the ball, and I think he should be starting while he stays fit. But, ultimately, a new arrival in midfield feels imperative at this stage and will go a long way towards reaching that top four.
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, (@brothersred5) - Elliott role may need to be reconsidered
With this season already feeling like an odyssey, Liverpool need to summon yet further resources to lay siege to the top four after a bleak performance against a bright Brentford.
Liverpool’s Premier League rankings this year for distance, sprints, and high-speed runs have fallen from last season, with Liverpool behind ten or more teams in those categories this term - statistics which made me rub my eyes. This Liverpool team is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Klopp’s teams operate with functional midfield players who can provide a shield of protection. The mercurial Harvey Elliot, who has been deployed across the midfield this year, is not built for this role as he is not blessed with wings on his feet for speed, nor does he have the Herculean strength that is sometimes required in a Premier League midfield battle.
On loan at Blackburn, he amassed an impressive assists and goals return. That perhaps points for him to be moved further up the pitch. If he is to play in midfield, he needs the protection of two midfield war horses, who can undertake the necessary work to make the Liverpool team operate.
David Shams (Washington D.C., @ShamsWriter) - Top four race a concern - but Reds have been here before
After the dismal 3-1 loss at Brentford, fans were despondent at chances of Champions League football next season. In any other year, I’d be more bullish. Our form tends to pick up in the second half. Last season, for example, ended on a 19-game unbeaten run. The year before, after a dismal winter, Liverpool went unbeaten in their last ten to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
But fans are bearish not just because form has been fleeting or the midfield looks suspect, the number of challengers for the top four has increased with new sides joining the battle and traditional sides sorting out their form. Arsenal has been reinvigorated, City reloaded, Newcastle awash in Saudi cash brings some pride back to Tyneside and Manchester United, under Ten Hag and unmoored from Ronaldo, look likely to shake off their poor start. Liverpool appear well off the pace the above teams are setting, both points and form-wise.
With the average points haul over the last decade for a club finishing fourth just above 70, this aim is still attainable but the margins are razor thin.
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Liverpool look stuck between systems
It didn’t feel like it as it was played, but games like Monday’s 3-1 defeat to an admittedly excellent Brentford may just have the potential to be highly useful in the long-term. Undeniably, it was so disappointing in so many ways. Not for the first time this season, it seemed difficult to put a finger on what the overarching approach is.
But that, perhaps, tells us something helpful. Jürgen Klopp, indeed, spoke post-match about Liverpool being in transition. It could justifiably be said that the Reds were outfought and outthought in several key areas, but there were also some good signs. As in other recent wins – where we’ve shown the ability to grind out results is still there – we created openings but still appeared far too easy to play through, especially on turnovers.
It does seem that we may be hovering between different approaches. Both the style and substance need work, certainly, but there are encouraging elements in spells. Players returning from injury and recruitment can help that process.
If we can look back on Monday as a usefully applied lesson in weeks, months and years to come, then, the chances are, we’ll have done something right.
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