LIVERPOOL may currently be on a 13‑game unbeaten run in all competitions, but their Premier League form remains a concern.
The Reds have drawn their last four league matches, with two being scoreless and another two where the opposition struck back to ensure points were shared.
The Merseyside team have also failed to finish off several sides in the bottom half of the table, which has made matters even more frustrating.
Had the draws against Fulham, Leeds United and Burnley been wins, Arne Slot’s team – currently in fourth – could have been in second place ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Sadly for Liverpool, their 36 points leave them seven behind third‑placed Villa and just one ahead of fifth‑placed Manchester United.
The 3‑0 win over Olympique de Marseille in a Champions League match away from home in midweek may offer some respite from the pressure the team is facing, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
Teams in England will not play as openly as Marseille did and will sit back to defend when facing Liverpool.
They are aware that the Reds still struggle against mid- to low‑block setups and will employ such tactics with the aim of frustrating and counterattacking.
Heading to the Vitality Stadium tomorrow to take on 15th‑placed Bournemouth, there is no guarantee that Slot’s side will come away with all three points.
A positive for Liverpool, though, is the upturn in form of several players including the new signings.
With half the season gone, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez have finally shown their worth with some strong individual performances.
Wirtz has scored three goals in his last five league appearances and will be hoping to contribute more consistently.
Mohamed Salah’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations is another boost for Liverpool’s attacking options.
The Egyptian may be struggling for goals and assists in the league, but his presence on the pitch often leaves opponents on high alert.
Bournemouth will be hoping for something positive after watching talisman Antoine Semenyo depart for Man City about two weeks ago.
Semenyo was the Cherries’ top scorer with 10 goals before his big‑money move.
It could, however, be an uphill task for Andoni Iraola as his side are also dealing with multiple injuries, particularly to key attacking players.
The heavy burden for goals now falls on 19‑year‑olds Eli Junior Kroupi and Evanilson, who have seven and four league goals respectively.
Despite Bournemouth’s injury woes, the Reds cannot afford to be complacent or drop more points against teams in the lower rungs if they are to maintain a strong grip on a Champions League spot for next season.
