Premier League - Injuries and Covid overshadow depleted form of the defending champions

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Liverpool have been far below the standard they have set in the last two seasons so far this campaign and this fact has been obscured by their misfortunes with injuries and Covid.

Joel Matip of Liverpool down injured in a Premier League match. Photo Credit: Sport Mole


Jurgen Klopp's side have racked up 33 points after 17 league games this season, their worst tally at this stage since the last couple of seasons.

In the 2018-19 season when The Reds eventually finished the season in a disappointing second place, they have scored 45 points at this stage of that season, winning 14 of the games and drawing just three.

They have also scored 37 goals compared to the 34 of this season, yet they never score seven in a game as they did against Crystal Palace this season.

In their title winning campaign last season, 49 points has been earned at this stage and a total of 42 goals scored, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold proving a thorn for oppositions in the final third.

Thus far, the reds have dropped more points than they did in the whole of last season and many might think this is as a result of their injury and Covid crisis but statistically, this might prove to not be true.

The Reds are currently without a win in their last three league games (D2, L1) with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander Arnold not really posing any sort of threat in the final third.

Mohamed Salah has fired blank in the last three league games. The last time Liverpool showed up in the league was in the 7-0 thrashing of Palace in December.

The Merseyside club have endured some disappointing results this season. From Aston Villa thumping them 7-2 earlier in the season, to drawing against Brighton, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United. Their last outing in the league was a disappointing 1-0 loss to Southampton, a team that has never beaten them in a league game since 2016. 

Mohamed Salah has been shut out in the last three Premier League games. Photo Credit: Twitter/ Southampton FC

Mohamed Salah has failed to score or assist in six league games this season, and Liverpool have dropped seven points in the process. His only contributions against West Ham United and Manchester City was to score from the spot and five of his 13 league goals so far have come from penalties.

Trent Alexander Arnold, whose contribution was vital in Liverpool winning the league title last season has been poor so far this season. The England international has contributed just two assists and has been overall poor in defence.

Andrew Robertson is the only member of the squad still giving his one hundred percent week in week out. The Scot has played all 17 league games and has contributed one goal and five assists with crucial contributions in defense.

Diogo Jota is another top performer for The Reds this season. The summer signing from Wolverhampton Wonderers has been brilliant so far but injury has kept him out in recent games and Liverpool have struggled in the Portuguese' absence.

Thiago Alcantara is another big signing but the Spaniard has been in and out of the team due to injuries but that should not be an excuse for a team with players like Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldun, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and more in their ranks.

Manchester United have overtaken Liverpool at the top of the Premier League and have established a three point lead. Photo Credit: Twitter.

Liverpool are only second in the league because other teams have been poor too. But they could go third depending on the result of outstanding games of their counterpart Manchester City, who have two of them.

Liverpool's struggle are down to their upfield players not performing at their best and not due to Covid or injuries. Most of The Reds absentees are Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez who are defenders. And Liverpool are not conceding more than they do even when these players are available, they are just not scoring enough goals like they used to score.

Should Manchester United be able to capitalize on The Reds recent run of poor form and earn a point or more at Anfield this weekend, it may a prove fatal blow for the Liverpool's bid to retain the title they won by 18 points gap, just last season.


Afolabi Kehinde Hassan

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