For any team, losing for the first time in a calendar year in August would be nothing more than a blip, but there is a sense that it is more serious for Liverpool.
The Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Monday saw their opponents jump them in the table, leaving Jurgen Klopp’s side without a win this season.
Klopp is in unfamiliar terrain. During his tenure, Liverpool have never failed to win at least one of their first three games, and a total of two points from nine available puts them five points behind defending champions Manchester City and seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
“At this stage it feels big,” said former Reds defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
“I don’t think they can be thinking about City, Liverpool need to get themselves back on track. They have had a really poor start. They set such high standards but they are a million miles off them right now.
“They have to fix it quickly.”
Liverpool had 17 shots on goal with five on target – one more than Manchester United – and Klopp felt his side had done enough to take all three points.
“We should have won this game, I know it sounds ridiculous but that is how I saw it,” he said.
“I am concerned about our situation, but that is how it is.”
Regardless of whether Klopp believes his team did enough to win, the challenge will always be made more difficult by Liverpool’s terrible start to games.
They finished the season just one point behind City after a strong finish saw them challenge Pep Guardiola’s team for the title.Regardless of whether Klopp believes his team did enough to win, the challenge will always be made more difficult by Liverpool’s terrible start to games.
They finished the season just one point behind City after a strong finish saw them challenge Pep Guardiola’s team for the title.