Joe Cole also suggested that it is a “recipe for disaster” shuffling centre-backs like Liverpool have so far this season.
Liverpool were expected to dominate the Premier League again this season in defence of their title. But it has proved to be a campaign full of lows for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have all suffered season-ending injuries at different points of this term.
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This has forced them to play Jordan Henderson and Fabinho at centre back for much of this season along with the inexperienced duo of Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips.
Just over two weeks ago, Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield came to an end at the hands of Burnley. Their next home game ended in another defeat, this time to Brighton.
These defeats have left Klopp’s men down in fourth. They are seven points behind Man City ahead of their clash on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking with talkSPORT, Cole insisted that Liverpool have “had it tough” with injuries this season:
“I don’t necessarily feel for Jurgen Klopp because he’s had it his own way for the last two years. But he has had it tough with injuries this year.
“I can’t see how they can do it [retain their title]. I love Jordan Henderson, I think he’s done a great job but when you drop a player in that specific role to play centre-half, it’s tough.
“We had a similar spell at Chelsea when injuries to Ricardo Carvalho, William Gallas and John Terry and we ended up playing with Michael Essien and Paulo Ferreira, who were fantastic players in their own right but having to shuffle your own centre-halves is a recipe for disaster.
“I think it’s a miracle that they’re in touching distance, missing Gomez, Van Dijk and Matip for so long so I can’t see Liverpool getting a result at the weekend.
“I’m surprised they didn’t go and spend some big money just to keep that momentum going in January.”
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