What Is Wrong With Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool?

Liverpool fell to their fifth defeat in the Premier League on Monday night after Jurgen Klopp’s side were dismantled by relegation-threatened Leicester City.

Klopp’s men Liverpool boast the best record in the top-six mini league (Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs included), but all five of the Reds’ defeats this season have been by sides in the bottom half of the table.

Whether it has been a case of being unable to break down a deep-defending side or a simple failure to deal with adversity, Liverpool’s push for the title has unravelled as a result of their inability to beat the teams they expect to pick up three points against.

Burnley (A) 2-0 — Aug. 20.

The defeat at Turf Moor was a taster to what the majority of the 2016-17 season would be like for Klopp. After dismantling Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, Liverpool followed that up with a horror show in Lancashire.

Klopp was without Sadio Mane, who injured his shoulder in training after his impressive club debut at the Emirates. Sam Vokes scored an early goal for the newly promoted side and Burnley then shut up shop, looking to frustrate Liverpool, with Andre Gray scoring another on the break in the 37th minute.

Despite having 80 percent possession and 26 shots, Liverpool had no answers, while their attack looked disjointed with Daniel Sturridge starting the game on the right wing.

Bournemouth (A) 4-3 — Dec. 6.

Liverpool were on a good run and looked to make it 12 league games unbeaten, but the manner of their collapse on the south coast raised alarm bells regarding the team’s fragility when the going got tough.

Bournemouth battled from being down 2-0 and 3-1 during the game, but they were allowed to produce a stunning comeback by an error-strewn second half showing from Liverpool, who were without the injured Philippe Coutinho.

It was the first time Loris Karius had really been tested since taking the No. 1 jersey off Simon Mignolet, and the former Mainz goalkeeper struggled as his mistake allowed Nathan Ake to net a 93rd-minute winner.

Swansea City (H) 3-2 — Jan. 21.

Liverpool were still looking for their first win in January at this point and would have fancied their chances against the league’s 20th-placed side with the worst defensive record.

However, Swansea were rejuvenated under new boss Paul Clement and frustrated Klopp’s side to condemn the Reds to their first league defeat at Anfield in over a year.

Liverpool struggled in the final third, due to the absence of Mane, who was out in Gabon with Senegal for the African Nations Cup, while Coutinho’s first league start since suffering ankle ligament damage did not have the desired effect.

Roberto Firmino did score a brilliant double to make it 2-2 but Liverpool’s defensive issues were apparent as Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the winner following a counterattack.

Hull City (A) 2-0 — Feb. 4

Liverpool had matched title-favourites Chelsea in a 1-1 draw at Anfield just a matter of days before, but they fell well short of expectations at the KCOM Stadium.

Not even Mane’s first start since returning from the AFCON could help get the Reds’ season back on track. Like Swansea, Hull were thriving under new manager Marco Silva but they were gifted an opening goal when Simon Mignolet’s mistake allowed Alfred N’Diaye to score.

Dejan Lovren missed the game with injury, with Lucas Leiva deputising, and Liverpool still looked shaky at the back despite the 72 percent of the possession they had.

After suffering their fourth defeat in their last five matches, Klopp said the “mood” of his players was not right.

Leicester City (A) 3-1 — Feb 27.

Klopp warned of a reaction from the reigning champions following Claudio Ranieri’s sacking, but his players did not heed that advice.

Coming into the game on the back of an impressive win over Tottenham and a lengthy break, Liverpool were second best at the King Power.

Arsenal are up next for Klopp’s side, and it would not be entirely surprising to see Liverpool match the Gunners at Anfield on Saturday.