Former Liverpool star Adam Lallana has explained why he thinks the Reds have failed in their title defence this season.
Lallana joined Brighton last summer after helping the Merseysiders win their first Premier League crown.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled massively this term to defend their title, and sit an astonishing 25 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Qualifying for the Champions League even seems like an uphill battle for Liverpool as things stand.
And while Lallana insists that injuries should not be used as an excuse, the impact that losing the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for the majority of the season has had is plain to see.
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“I think the reason is there for everybody to see,” Lallana told talkSPORT.
“It’s obviously an indifferent season. Being another Covid season. Without the fans and everyone knows how much of an impact Anfield is with the fans there.
“The injuries that they have had. You cannot hide from that.
“It’s not an excuse. I know a lot of the players, and I still speak to them now, and they won’t be using that as an excuse, but I think it’s a reason why they have struggled a bit this season.”
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With a complete squad, many are backing Liverpool to come back fighting next season against the likes of City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
And Lallana reckons that they can hoist themselves back into the coveted top four this term, before going on to have a better time of it next season.
“I am more than confident that they will bounce back next season when they have a few more players back and a few more fans in,” he added.
“And they still have a lot to play for this season. I am pretty sure they will want to finish in that top four, for sure.”
