Jurgen Klopp's 5 biggest Premier League title worries as Reds fall off the pace

Liverpool's defeat at West Ham means they have picked up just one point from their last two games as they lose ground in the title race.

The Reds are looking to regain their crown after an injury-hit campaign last time out hampered their ambitions and saw them finish third.

But an unbeaten run that dated back to April was ended at the London Stadium with the team's flaws exposed.

Jurgen Klopp has seen his team win just two of their past six league games which has allowed Chelsea and Manchester City to steal a march.

The quality of the Premier League in recent seasons has left little margin for error.

Liverpool themselves know that too well, with one defeat in 38 games still not enough to win them the title back in 2019.

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Klopp is not without his issues as we head into the winter period, with the hectic December schedule notoriously difficult, especially with the Reds fighting on several fronts.

Champions League knockout qualification has been secured whilst the Reds are in contention in the Carabao Cup.

In Mo Salah Liverpool arguably have the world's most in form player, although he has failed to score in his last three, but is still enjoying the most prolific season of his life.

It is not all plain sailing though and we take a look at some of the problems facing the German as he eyes a second league triumph.

Midfield injuries

Last season it was the defence, this time its the midfield.

Klopp has had to deal without a number of his players in the middle of the park. Fortunately Liverpool are incredibly well stocked in that area, but they can ill afford many more casualties.

Harvey Elliott looked set to enjoy a breakthrough season before a horrific injury at Leeds.

Naby Keita meanwhile is struggling for consistent fitness and form, which seems to have been the narrative of his career at Anfield.

Captain Jordan Henderson has largely been an ever present whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has enjoyed more game time.

Thiago though is still looking to make the impact many hoped he would, but injuries continue to hold him back, whilst James Milner, now 36, cannot be relied on to play regularly.

Defensive issues

Virgil van Dijk is back at the heart of the back four, but the Dutchman is not yet performing like he did pre-injury.

There will of course be fears that, after his period out, reaching the levels he was previously at may prove challenging.

Liverpool have not been the solid outfit they were two years or so ago and there appears a fragility to them.

The Reds are conceding a goal a game with Brighton, West Ham, Manchester City and Brentford all firing at least two past them.

Ibrahima Konate was bought in back in the summer but the new recruit has by no means gone straight in to the back four.

Klopp is clearly still trying to assess who are his go to pair at the heart of defence. Their full-backs, whilst fantastic going forward, can also be caught out of position, as was the case in the West Ham defeat.

Salah concerns

He's prolific, he's arguably the world's best player and he's out of contract in the summer of 2023.

Every time Mo Salah does something breathtaking, which is a pretty regular feat at the moment, the question gets raised - why haven't they tied him down yet?

The Egyptian is about to enter the final 18 months of his deal meaning this summer could be an uncomfortable one for Liverpool.

Salah wants big money, which would require the Reds making an exception to their wage structure.

The forward's goals have been crucial for Klopp's side this season, but all the while his future is unresolved it provides an unwelcome distraction.

Salah has come out and said he would stay at the club for the rest of his career. It leaves the ball firmly in the court of his employers.

Relentless rivals

Chelsea sit top - dropping points for only the third time this season at the weekend. It's not that they've been incredibly good, but they rarely look like losing, or even conceding.

City meanwhile, whilst they have already lost twice, look to be a side purring.

They've already gone to Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea and picked up seven points meaning they will host their rivals when it gets to the final stretch.

Defeats like the one at West Ham can happen. But it is results like dropping points to Brighton at Anfield when you're 2-0 up that will come to haunt Liverpool in May.

The same can be said about the draw at Brentford when Liverpool led twice.

Small margins create a big difference when the standard are as high as they are in this current title race and the Reds cannot afford unnecessary slip-ups.

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Africa Cup of Nations absences

A period of time Klopp has had circled in his diary for some time no doubt.

Salah, Sadio Mane and Keita will all head off to represent their countries in the midseason inconvenience for managers that is the Africa Cup of Nations.

The former pair's absence will be a major blow, especially if Salah continues in his current form. The Egyptian and his teammate have combined to score more than 50 per cent of the Reds' 31 Premier League goals so far.

Teams with players whose countries go deep into the tournament may miss up to eight games across the Premier League and FA Cup.

That is likely to apply to Liverpool, who could be without Salah and co for games against Leicester and Chelsea.