© Provided by Transfer TavernLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool's players are struggling with the physical demands expected of them at the moment, according to journalist Ian McGarry.
The Reds are going through a shocking run of form currently, losing their last six Premier League games in Anfield and falling out of the top four race.
It has ended up being a nightmare defence of the Reds' title, having been top at Christmas and seemingly on their way to yet more silverware.
McGarry claims Liverpool's players are tired
The Liverpool players look a shadow of themselves at the moment, and speaking on The Transfer Window podcast [via This Is Futbol], McGarry claimed they are flagging physically, following years of relentless work on the pitch and on the training ground:
"So, speaking to people close to the club; physically, some of the players are feeling the effects of this playing on the edge, training on the edge all the time.
"It's been relentless for them for three seasons, because we shouldn't discount when they lost out to Manchester City so narrowly in the Premier League title race two seasons ago, but won the Champions League.
"Then, of course, bulldozed the Premier League last year, but they're now 36 points worse off than they were at this stage of the season in the Premier League last year, which is, by any standard, a very dramatic drop.
"I wonder if it's not just a case of players feeling a little burned out, but the manager as well feeling a little burned out."
Transfer Tavern take
This is certainly a worrying suggestion, with Liverpool famed for their lung-busting energy throughout Jurgen Klopp's time at the club.
There is always a risk that players can burn themselves out eventually, though, and there are indications that that could be the case with the Reds currently, given the flat nature of their performances.
Hopefully, it is no major issue and is one that will eventually go away, but with the squad not getting any younger as a collective, it further heightens the need for reinforcements this summer.
In other news, a number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to Steven Gerrard's comments about replacing Klopp. Read more here.
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