Liverpool v Chelsea: Premier League match preview
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Jurgen Klopp has admitted he has 'never in his life' had to deal with the injury issues that his Liverpool side have suffered this season.
And he insists they are the main reason why his team have been unable to hit the heights they managed in the 2019-20 title-winning campaign.
The Reds had lost four Premier League games in a row before they managed a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United on Sunday.
And they currently lie in sixth place and are a massive 22 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool have suffered a number of serious injuries to key players this season, with the long-term loss of centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez proving particularly crucial.
© Laurence Griffiths/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockLiverpool have suffered with numerous injuries to key players this season
And speaking ahead of his side's game against Chelsea on Thursday, Klopp pointed towards the absence of such influential figures to explain the Reds' disappointing campaign.
"The problems that we had, it was always clear that they would become influential if we could not sort it by the players coming back. That is what happened," he told Sky Sports.
"Most of the problems are as a result of the injury situation. This year we have faced completely new problems. I have never in my life - and I have been doing the job for 20 years - had to change the last line-up every week.
"People might say that is an excuse. I could not care less, to be honest. We do not use it as an excuse but if you ask me the question then it is the explanation for why things changed."
Despite the negatives, Klopp is confident that the good times will return to Anfield.
© PAJurgen Klopp is confident the good times will return soon
He added: "I am not angry about it or whatever, I am 53 years old. I have had different moments in my life. Wonderful moments, lesser moments. It is just a football problem.
"You cannot change it overnight and say that from now on we are going to smash the whole world again but we will get there again if we stay calm in mind and we use this time to learn."
Liverpool will now focus on attempting to cement a top four finish and are still in contention for the Champions League, having beat RB Leipzig 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie last month.