Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp played down suggestions that his team is in decline, saying it is “not 100 per cent fair” to judge the squad because they have had a number of injury problems this season.

Liverpool were expected to be Manchester City’s closest challengers for the Premier League title, but Klopp’s side is ninth in the standings after 12 games.

Liverpool have lost several players, including Diogo Jota, Naby Keita, Luis Diaz and Joel Matip, to injury while Darwin Nunez has struggled to justify his price tag after being signed as a replacement for Sadio Mane.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Leeds United, their first home league loss since March 2021, was another blow.

“We do this job in public and the judgement for this will be later on in the season, or even at the end,” Klopp told reporters on Monday when asked if his team is in decline.

“At the moment it’s not 100 per cent fair to judge the team because we haven’t had them (players) available, missing up front top quality. We’d usually make changes.

“Even if it’s unfair, it’s fine. It’s normal to ask these questions. Arsenal and Man City will have to answer those questions later on. We are all out there to be judged, manager, players, that’s how it is.”

Klopp said there was no quick fix. “Consistency and stability is our issue,” the German said. “There are highs and there are obviously too many lows, that is clear.”

Napoli challenge

Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages and are due to host Napoli in their final group game on Tuesday. They are second in Group A and can secure top spot by beating the Italian side by four goals or more. But they face a tough challenge against Napoli, who are top of Serie A and unbeaten in the league this season.

“I am not afraid or scared. It is a tough challenge but I really respect what they are doing,” Klopp said. “Now our situation is slightly more difficult than Napoli’s. When you are on a winning streak you have to do a lot to stay on track.”

Centre-back Ibrahima Konate is available to face Napoli but the game comes too soon for Matip who has a calf problem.

Lukaku injured

Romelu Lukaku has sustained another hamstring injury, Inter Milan said on Monday, in a major concern for Belgium ahead of the World Cup. Lukaku’s latest injury was revealed after medical tests and Inter said he “will be re-evaluated in a few days.” The World Cup starts in less than three weeks.

Lukaku, Belgium’s first-choice striker, has just returned after two months out with a hamstring injury.