Liverpool, Chelsea chase for form in the EPL

LONDON. — When the English Premier League football season began in August, the idea that Liverpool would be heading towards the World Cup break closer to the bottom three than top four would have seemed unthinkable.

But as Juergen Klopp’s misfiring side prepare for tomorrow’s trip to thirdplaced Tottenham Hotspur that is exactly the position they are in points wise.

Klopp, at least is in good company when it comes to high-profile managers trying to halt worrying slides.

Graham Potter’s Chelsea host leaders Arsenal tomorrow with his honeymoon period well and truly over after last week’s humiliating 4- 1 defeat at his old club Brighton & Hove Albion left them down in sixth place.

Liverpool’s predicament is the most surprising though.

Last weekend’s 2- 1 home defeat by Leeds United, after the loss at Nottingham Forest the week before, means Liverpool, the only side able to challenge Manchester City in recent seasons, are ninth, 10 points behind Spurs and 15 adrift of Arsenal.

Injuries and a relative lack of investment in the squad in the close season have been factors in Liverpool’s decline, but some of their problems are self-inflicted and the intensity with which they are usually renowned for under Klopp has disappeared.

Leeds’s opening goal last week rather summed up Liverpool’s current plight. A terrible back pass by Joe Gomez and a slip by keeper Alisson gave Rodrigo the easiest goal he will ever score.

Then even when Liverpool took charge in the second half their end product was sadly lacking and they wasted a host of opportunities before Crysencio Summerville’s sucker punch.

A trip to injury-hit Tottenham offers Liverpool the perfect opportunity to remind people they are not yet a busted flush.

Spurs claimed top spot in their Champions League group on Tuesday but it came at a cost as South Korea forward Son Heung-min suffered a facial injury that needs surgery, meaning Antonio Conte is running short of attacking options.

Brazil striker Richarlison remains unavailable as does winger Dejan Kulusevski, while defender Cristian Romero is also on the sidelines for Tottenham with muscle fatigue.

Like Liverpool, Chelsea managed a morale-boosting victory in the Champions League in midweek to top their group but how they needed it after a slump in their domestic form.