Why have things suddenly become more difficult for Liverpool?

The loss came on the back of draws against struggling West Brom and Newcastle.

Liverpool’s defeat at Southampton meant Jurgen Klopp’s side have gone three Premier League matches without a victory for the first time since February 2017.

The loss came on the back of draws against struggling West Brom and Newcastle and the four-point lead the champions held at Christmas has evaporated.

By the time they play their next league match, at home to Manchester United a week on Sunday, their arch rivals are likely to have overtaken them.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at why things have suddenly become more difficult for Klopp’s side.

What is the problem?

Liverpool's away form is a concern for manager Jurgen Klopp — Liverpool’s away form is a concern for manager Jurgen Klopp (Phil Noble/PA)

What has caused it?

Despite being the league’s leading scorers the goals have dried up over the festive period. Apart from the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace, which is increasingly looking like an aberration, in the last five league matches Liverpool have scored more than one goal in a game only once when they beat Tottenham 2-1 in the 90th minute. Southampton was the first time since May 2018 Klopp’s side failed to score in back-to-back league matches, which is an indicator of their previous consistency.

Who is at fault?

Mane has just two goals in his last 12 league matches — Sadio Mane has scored just two goals in his last 12 league matches (Peter Byrne/PA)

Why have the goals stopped flowing?

There has been a creativity vacuum in midfield as injury has robbed Klopp of Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri for various parts of the season. The manager has had to rely heavily on captain Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and 19-year-old Curtis Jones in midfield – a trio which have contributed just two goals between them – with Jones the most attack-minded of the three.

So the midfield is at fault?

Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled to replicate his form of the last two seasons (Adam Davy/PA)

Are there any underlying issues which could also be contributing?

The Henderson-Fabinho partnership at Southampton was the 10th different starting central defensive oairing in 17 league matches this season — The Henderson-Fabinho partnership at Southampton was the 10th different starting central defensive pairing in 17 league matches this season (Peter Powell/NMC Pool/PA)