Liverpool were expected to once again challenge Manchester City for the league title this season.
However, after playing six games, the Reds already look set to battle it out for the top-four instead.
Liverpool have won just two of six league games so far and were also hammered 4-1 by Napoli in the Champions League.
The Merseysiders did not have a game this past weekend, and many of their players will now focus on the international break.
One such player is Virgil van Dijk, who is hoping to feature in his first major tournament for the Netherlands this winter.
When speaking ahead of the Netherlands’ upcoming friendlies, the defender was asked if Liverpool’s slow start is down to players having one eye on the world cup/not wanting to pick up an injury.
“Not at all, not at all,” said Van Dijk. “I can assure you that is definitely not the case. We are not in the situation because of that.
“I would understand because of the start we had everyone is looking for ‘Why?’ because the difference is too big (from last season) but I can assure you that is definitely not one of the reasons. You focus on the game at the time and that’s definitely what we’re doing.
“I can only speak for myself and I wouldn’t worry about me. If you think about this I think you are going to have issues, in my opinion. It is just game-by-game and that includes international football.
“I want to go (to the World Cup) but to be ready, in my opinion, is not to focus on hopefully not getting injured, it is just keep playing, get fit, stay fit and get in a good moment.”
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