Top 4 hopes are fading for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool

A goalless and uninspiring draw at Anfield between Liverpool and Chelsea has left both sides with plenty of work to do.

These are two teams that aim for Champions League football every single year.

This season things are different. Chelsea are languishing in mid table and Liverpool are only ahead on goal difference.

Jurgen Klopp is going through his worst campaign to date for the Merseyside club.

Even worse than the 2020/21 season that saw an injury crisis derail their title defence.

Leaking goals and big chances while being unable to display the clinical edge that once set them apart, the reds are in danger.

A tough round of 16 clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League could see Liverpool out of contention in every competition already.

Midfielder Thiago has recently spoken about the mental impact of coming so close to achieving the quadruple last year.

Falling two games short of history has perhaps dented confidence across the squad.

Question marks over the desire of the squad have been raised for the first time under Klopp.

It could be a lack of hunger but it could also be the mental strain put on the players with multiple near misses in previous years.

I think the team needs some youth and energy brought in.

Particularly in midfield areas, the side looks like a shadow of its former self.

The transfer window could make or break the top 4 aspirations of the club but it looks unlikely.

Díaz and Jota returning from injuries will hopefully add some much needed spark and quality but I do think they will fall short.