Liverpool have endured an inconsistent spell of form which has seen them lose seven times in ten games with Robbie Fowler ruling them out of the title race and questioning their transfer business
Liverpool players during a game against Manchester City
Liverpool are struggling this season(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Robbie Fowler has admitted he was never "getting carried away" with Liverpool's victories over Aston Villa wand Real Madrid, insisting the Reds remain in a challenging spell following their defeat at Manchester City.
Arne Slot's side had suffered a dismal run of form, losing four Premier League matches on the bounce and exiting the Carabao Cup. However, victory against Villa followed by a triumph over Los Blancos at Anfield days later had raised optimism.
There were suggestions that Liverpool had turned a corner, but Fowler remained unconvinced and reckons they were only impressive for one half during their Villa victory. They suffered a seventh defeat in ten matches when they visited the Etihad with Pep Guardiola's men emerging 3-0 victors.
City were ruthless and made Liverpool look inferior for extended spells. Their victory means they and Arsenal have opened up some distance at the summit with Slot's men seven points adrift of top spot - prompting Fowler to discount them from title contention, reports the Mirror.
He told Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt on The Good, The Bad and The Football: "I got asked before the game, 'Are Liverpool out of a little bit of a rut?', and I thought don't be getting carried away."
"Okay, they beat Aston Villa but for 45 minutes Liverpool weren't great and then they beat (Real) Madrid. So it's only 45 minutes in a league game where they've played relatively okay. I think they're out of the title (race)."
Liverpool had started defending their title impressively, securing five consecutive victories after a summer spending spree exceeding £400million on new signings. The Reds appeared unstoppable, but their form has collapsed dramatically, with some now questioning whether the sweeping squad overhaul was too ambitious.
Virgil van Dijk during Liverpool's defeat to Man City
Liverpool have been in a downward spiral for several weeks
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Fowler has voiced concerns about the defensive recruits, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez operating on either flank. Frimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen but isn't a direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who departed for Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Kerkez is finding it difficult to adapt after establishing his reputation at Bournemouth.
He said: "Frimpong is the biggest example, he was brought in as a Trent replacement but he's a wing-back. And Kerkez, he was everyone's favourite left back last year. When you're playing for Liverpool or Man United, it's different playing for Bournemouth or Brentford, because there's more pressure."
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