After romping to a first league crown for 30 years last season, Liverpool are suffering a hangover in their title defence as Jurgen Klopp's men have gone four games without a Premier League win for the first time since 2017.

The champions find themselves down in fourth with Klopp claiming just a return to the Champions League next season would be a success given his side's struggles of late.

However, an unpredictable season due to empty stadiums and a packed fixture schedule, has meant no side has stormed clear like the Reds did last season.

Liverpool are still just four points off the top, so can their problems be resolved in time to retain their title?

<h2>Injuries</h2>

The loss of the talismanic Virgil van Dijk for the season to knee ligament damage would have been a big enough loss on its own to challenge Liverpool's title credentials.

However, the Dutchman's absence has been compounded by another long-term injury to a centre-back in Joe Gomez and Joel Matip's fitness problems.

Without a recognised senior centre-back in recent weeks Klopp has resorted to fielding midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson at the back.

Liverpool's defensive record since Van Dijk's injury is still impressive, conceding just eight goals in 13 games.

But that has come at the expense of destabilising the front-foot style that has restored the glory days at Anfield under Klopp.

Without the comfort of Van Dijk and Gomez's pace to hold a high line and the ball-winning ability of Fabinho and Henderson in midfield, Liverpool's pressing game has eased off.

Injuries have also taking their toll further forward without Diogo Jota over the past month.

The Portuguese made a blistering start to his Liverpool career, scoring seven times in his first nine appearances.

Since Jota suffered a costly knee injury in a Champions League dead rubber against Midtjylland in early December, Klopp is short on options to provide competition for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

<h2>Father time against front three?</h2>

Salah, Mane and Firmino will live long in even Liverpool's storied history as a front three that ended the Reds' long wait for a league title and delivered a sixth European Cup.

Over the past four seasons they have been the perfect foil for one another, combining to score 248 goals. &nbsp;

However, all three are at the least approaching the latter end of their peak years. Salah and Mane will be 29 this year, while Firmino turns 30 in October.

Jota's injury offered little chance for respite over the busy festive schedule and with all three failing to find their form, the goals have dried up.

For the first time since 2005, Liverpool have not scored in three consecutive league games.

Salah's complaints about not being made captain for the match against Midtjylland in a rare interview with Spanish newspaper AS was interpreted as the Egyptian inviting offers from Real Madrid.

Yet the time may have passed for Liverpool to cash in their major asset at the right time as they did in selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona three years ago.

<h2>Hunger gone?</h2>

Klopp's men followed up on an unprecedented title showdown with Manchester City in 2018/19, which saw them miss out despite amassing 97 points, with a club record 99 points last season.

After also reaching two Champions League finals in the past three seasons and the often soulless atmosphere of a season without full stands, it is understandable if Liverpool's desire has dropped off this season.

City suffered themselves last season after racking up 198 points in the previous two campaigns.

After the record-breaking numbers set by City and Liverpool over the past three years, the points tally required to win the title this season will fall.

The complexities of a coronavirus-affected campaign have been attributed to more surprise results, but an improvement in the Premier League's middle class has also played its part.

Aston Villa, Everton, Southampton and West Ham have propelled themselves into contention for Europe, while Leicester are again threatening to challenge for the title, asking more questions of the traditional top six.

After romping to a first league crown for 30 years last season, Liverpool are suffering a hangover in their title defence as Jurgen Klopp's men have gone four games without a Premier League win for the first time since 2017.

After romping to a first league crown for 30 years last season, Liverpool are suffering a hangover in their title defence as Jurgen Klopp's men have gone four games without a Premier League win for the first time since 2017. The champions find themselves down in fourth with Klopp claiming just a return to the Champions League next season would be a success given his side's struggles of late. However, an unpredictable season due to empty stadiums and a packed fixture schedule, has meant no side has stormed clear like the Reds did last season. Liverpool are still just four points off the top, so can their problems be resolved in time to retain their title? Injuries The loss of the talismanic Virgil van Dijk for the season to knee ligament damage would have been a big enough loss on its own to challenge Liverpool's title credentials. However, the Dutchman's absence has been compounded by another long-term injury to a centre-back in Joe Gomez and Joel Matip's fitness problems. Without a recognised senior centre-back in recent weeks Klopp has resorted to fielding midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson at the back. Liverpool's defensive record since Van Dijk's injury is still impressive, conceding just eight goals in 13 games. But that has come at the expense of destabilising the front-foot style that has restored the glory days at Anfield under Klopp. Without the comfort of Van Dijk and Gomez's pace to hold a high line and the ball-winning ability of Fabinho and Henderson in midfield, Liverpool's pressing game has eased off. Injuries have also taking their toll further forward without Diogo Jota over the past month. The Portuguese made a blistering start to his Liverpool career, scoring seven times in his first nine appearances. Since Jota suffered a costly knee injury in a Champions League dead rubber against Midtjylland in early December, Klopp is short on options to provide competition for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Father time against front three? Salah, Mane and Firmino will live long in even Liverpool's storied history as a front three that ended the Reds' long wait for a league title and delivered a sixth European Cup. Over the past four seasons they have been the perfect foil for one another, combining to score 248 goals. However, all three are at the least approaching the latter end of their peak years. Salah and Mane will be 29 this year, while Firmino turns 30 in October. Jota's injury offered little chance for respite over the busy festive schedule and with all three failing to find their form, the goals have dried up. For the first time since 2005, Liverpool have not scored in three consecutive league games. Salah's complaints about not being made captain for the match against Midtjylland in a rare interview with Spanish newspaper AS was interpreted as the Egyptian inviting offers from Real Madrid. Yet the time may have passed for Liverpool to cash in their major asset at the right time as they did in selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona three years ago. Hunger gone? Klopp's men followed up on an unprecedented title showdown with Manchester City in 2018/19, which saw them miss out despite amassing 97 points, with a club record 99 points last season. After also reaching two Champions League finals in the past three seasons and the often soulless atmosphere of a season without full stands, it is understandable if Liverpool's desire has dropped off this season. City suffered themselves last season after racking up 198 points in the previous two campaigns. After the record-breaking numbers set by City and Liverpool over the past three years, the points tally required to win the title this season will fall. The complexities of a coronavirus-affected campaign have been attributed to more surprise results, but an improvement in the Premier League's middle class has also played its part. Aston Villa, Everton, Southampton and West Ham have propelled themselves into contention for Europe, while Leicester are again threatening to challenge for the title, asking more questions of the traditional top six.

What has gone wrong in Liverpool's title defence?

Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's title rivals that splashing out on new signings is no guarantee of success as the Premier League champions start their new campaign against Leeds on Saturday.

Klopp's side are back in action just seven weeks after Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy to mark the culmination of Liverpool's first title-winning campaign for 30 years.

As they powered to the title in record-setting style, Liverpool looked so untouchable that an era of sustained dominance seems eminently possible.

They won 32 of their 38 games to finish 18 points clear of second-placed Manchester City and 33 ahead of both third-placed Manchester United and fourth-placed Chelsea.

But for City, United and Chelsea, the brief break since last season has given Liverpool's title challengers a much-needed chance to improve their firepower by splashing out in the transfer window.

Chelsea have been the biggest spenders as Frank Lampard invested around £200 million ($257 million) on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell, with Thiago Silva arriving on a free transfer and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy reportedly set to join from Rennes as well.

Forced to surrender the title he had won for the previous two seasons, City boss Pep Guardiola has responded by signing Dutch international Nathan Ake from Bournemouth to finally plug the hole in the heart of his defence left by Vincent Kompany's departure in 2019.

City have also signed promising Spanish winger Ferran Torres from Valencia as Guardiola looks to revitalise a team that seemed weary towards the end of a frustrating season that petered out with their limp Champions League quarter-final defeat against Lyon.

Across Manchester at Old Trafford, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a vibrant young team that finished strongly after the January arrival of Bruno Fernandes.

A full season for Portugal playmaker Fernandes, combined with Solskjaer's swoop for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, should allow United to narrow the gap to Liverpool.

<h2>- 'Different kind of club' -</h2>

In contrast, Liverpool have adopted a cautious approach given the financial fall-out from the coronavirus -- stadiums will remain shuttered until at least October and probably longer.

Promoted Leeds, led by enigmatic boss Marcelo Bielsa on their return to the top-flight after a 16-year absence, provide intriguing opponents to measure if Liverpool's thirst for silverware has been quenched by their recent success.

Klopp's only addition to date is Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas, but the Reds boss believes the continuity in Liverpool's squad will serve them well while their overhauled rivals try to gel.

"For some clubs it seems less important how uncertain the future is: those owned by countries, owned by oligarchs, that's the truth. We're a different kind of club," Klopp told the BBC.

"We cannot just change it overnight and say, 'so now we want to behave like Chelsea'.&nbsp;

"Now they are signing a lot of players. That can be an advantage of course but that means they have to fit together pretty quickly as well.

"It's about working together on the training ground. That will probably be an advantage for us."

Having exchanged angry words with Klopp and his coaching staff during Chelsea's defeat at Liverpool late last season, Lampard will have taken note of the latest jibe from Anfield.

But Lampard acknowledges Chelsea's lavish spending has put him under pressure to deliver a sustained title challenge after his promising first season in charge ended with an FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal.

"I know expectations will be there. I won't hide away from that," Lampard said. "I'm not going to lie, we have brought in a high level of player that we feel will improve our squad.&nbsp;

"At the same time, I also know what it takes to win the Premier League. We won't jump too far ahead of ourselves."

City and United will have to wait a week longer to play their first games of the season after being granted extra rest due to their involvement in the latter stages of European competitions last season.

Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated):

Saturday

Fulham v Arsenal (1130), Crystal Palace v Southampton, Liverpool v Leeds (1630), West Ham v Newcastle (1900)

Sunday

West Brom v Leicester (1300), Tottenham v Everton (1530)

Monday

Sheffield United v Wolves (1700), Brighton v Chelsea (1915)

Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's title rivals that splashing out on new signings is no guarantee of success as the Premier League champions start their new campaign against Leeds on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's title rivals that splashing out on new signings is no guarantee of success as the Premier League champions start their new campaign against Leeds on Saturday. Klopp's side are back in action just seven weeks after Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy to mark the culmination of Liverpool's first title-winning campaign for 30 years. As they powered to the title in record-setting style, Liverpool looked so untouchable that an era of sustained dominance seems eminently possible. They won 32 of their 38 games to finish 18 points clear of second-placed Manchester City and 33 ahead of both third-placed Manchester United and fourth-placed Chelsea. But for City, United and Chelsea, the brief break since last season has given Liverpool's title challengers a much-needed chance to improve their firepower by splashing out in the transfer window. Chelsea have been the biggest spenders as Frank Lampard invested around £200 million ($257 million) on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell, with Thiago Silva arriving on a free transfer and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy reportedly set to join from Rennes as well. Forced to surrender the title he had won for the previous two seasons, City boss Pep Guardiola has responded by signing Dutch international Nathan Ake from Bournemouth to finally plug the hole in the heart of his defence left by Vincent Kompany's departure in 2019. City have also signed promising Spanish winger Ferran Torres from Valencia as Guardiola looks to revitalise a team that seemed weary towards the end of a frustrating season that petered out with their limp Champions League quarter-final defeat against Lyon. Across Manchester at Old Trafford, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a vibrant young team that finished strongly after the January arrival of Bruno Fernandes. A full season for Portugal playmaker Fernandes, combined with Solskjaer's swoop for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, should allow United to narrow the gap to Liverpool. - 'Different kind of club' - In contrast, Liverpool have adopted a cautious approach given the financial fall-out from the coronavirus -- stadiums will remain shuttered until at least October and probably longer. Promoted Leeds, led by enigmatic boss Marcelo Bielsa on their return to the top-flight after a 16-year absence, provide intriguing opponents to measure if Liverpool's thirst for silverware has been quenched by their recent success. Klopp's only addition to date is Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas, but the Reds boss believes the continuity in Liverpool's squad will serve them well while their overhauled rivals try to gel. "For some clubs it seems less important how uncertain the future is: those owned by countries, owned by oligarchs, that's the truth. We're a different kind of club," Klopp told the BBC. "We cannot just change it overnight and say, 'so now we want to behave like Chelsea'. "Now they are signing a lot of players. That can be an advantage of course but that means they have to fit together pretty quickly as well. "It's about working together on the training ground. That will probably be an advantage for us." Having exchanged angry words with Klopp and his coaching staff during Chelsea's defeat at Liverpool late last season, Lampard will have taken note of the latest jibe from Anfield. But Lampard acknowledges Chelsea's lavish spending has put him under pressure to deliver a sustained title challenge after his promising first season in charge ended with an FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal. "I know expectations will be there. I won't hide away from that," Lampard said. "I'm not going to lie, we have brought in a high level of player that we feel will improve our squad. "At the same time, I also know what it takes to win the Premier League. We won't jump too far ahead of ourselves." City and United will have to wait a week longer to play their first games of the season after being granted extra rest due to their involvement in the latter stages of European competitions last season. Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated): Saturday Fulham v Arsenal (1130), Crystal Palace v Southampton, Liverpool v Leeds (1630), West Ham v Newcastle (1900) Sunday West Brom v Leicester (1300), Tottenham v Everton (1530) Monday Sheffield United v Wolves (1700), Brighton v Chelsea (1915)

Klopp shrugs off rivals' spending as Premier League kicks off

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What has gone wrong in Liverpool's title defence?

Klopp shrugs off rivals' spending as Premier League kicks off