Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness has urged the club to stand by boss Jurgen Klopp, but admits that a top-four finish is likely the best they can hope for.
The Reds are already out of the EFL Cup and 12 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City following a run of two wins in their last 10 games.
Klopp's position has come under the spotlight on the back of the 4-1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium last weekend, leaving them ninth in the division, but Souness does not believe that a change of manager is needed.
"If someone would guarantee me a top-four finish for Liverpool, I would sign up right now if I was the Liverpool manager," he told Sky Sports News. "They are in fits and starts. With the element of doubt surrounding [Philippe] Coutinho and their vulnerability at the back, I would take top four right now.
"Liverpool have to stick with Klopp too. He is a good fit for Liverpool. He is a passionate man, wears his heart on his sleeve and Liverpool are that sort of club to give him time. The football has been fab, but you look at last weekend at Wembley and they were 2-0 down inside 10 minutes.
"They still had the ball and the chances, but were well beaten. They are not taking their chances. I was hoping after the Maribor result, there would be more belief that they can score those chances, but at Wembley, Dejan Lovren made too many mistakes and all that confidence from midweek disappeared.
"If you are leaking goals as they are, it doesn't matter what football you play because you can't outscore teams. You have to defend properly. You would be far better to be tight and not play attractive football and just nick a game."
Liverpool are back in action on Saturday afternoon with a home match against Huddersfield Town, who head into the game on the back of a shock win against Manchester United last time out.
Daniel Lewis
