Mark Lawrenson admits he has lost hope of seeing Liverpool finish in the Premier League top four this season.
The Reds sit in ninth place after winning just eight of their 19 league games so far this term, and are ten points adrift of fourth-place Manchester United.
Speaking on Weekend Sports Breakfast, five-time league champion Lawrenson suggested Jurgen Klopp’s side are easy to score again and lack any real strength in midfield.
“I just don’t see it,” Lawro said about his former club’s top four chances.
“It’s sheer inconsistency. Virgil van Dijk is still out as well, It was said two months ago that if you get at Liverpool, you will create chances.
“That’s what all the teams have done lately when they play against them – they don’t just sit back, they think of having a go at them. They’ve not got great legs in midfield and they lack experience.
“They’re going through that change a little bit. They haven’t become a bad side and the manager is not a bad manager – he’s outstanding.
“He’s said it already, it’s one of those where they get to the summer and the revolving door will open: there will be people coming out and people coming in.”
Later on, Lawrenson admitted there are problems with Mohamed Salah’s form in this campaign.
The Egyptian star has boasted an exemplary goalscoring record since arriving at Anfield, but has been off his normal pace so far this term with seven goals and four assists in 19 league appearances.
And the Reds great says Salah’s his struggles are a reflection of Liverpool’s collective woes, explaining that he’s just not getting the same service he has been used to.
“It’s unusual for him,” added the decorated former centre-back.
“I think one of the problems is that he’s playing with different strikers every week and in different formations.
“The thing with him is that he needs to be happy to play and you can see it on his face.
“He’s a bit like, ‘What’s happening here?’ Consequently with them not playing particularly well, he’s not had too much of service – you don’t suddenly become a bad player.
“People think it’s because he’s signed a new contract and that sort of thing. It’s nothing to do with that. It’s just that he’s not been playing well and consequently, he hasn’t had too many opportunities.”
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