Pundit Andy Gray believes an aging squad is the reason why Liverpool are struggling this season.
The Reds are no longer the same force of previous campaigns, despite having a largely fit squad this time around.
Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the Premier League, despite equalizing twice in the contest.
“The side that played Brighton last week, I looked at that this morning, eight of the players were 30 or over. Eight," Gray told beIN Sports.
“I compared that with the Arsenal team that played last time out against Tottenham, eight were 25 and under.
“The reason that age is important, as far as Liverpool are concerned… Liverpool have been brilliant because they have blown us away with that high octane football, on the front foot press, press, press, Playing a high tempo all the time. That takes a lot and it takes a young team.
“If you've got eight in your team who are 30 or over, you cannot play like that. You certainly can sporadically, but you cannot over a 38-game Premier League season.
“They've got younger players, you think [Diogo] Jota who has not played enough games, they've introduced [Fabio] Carvalho to us in the last two or three weeks, another young player. They've dropped in younger players - [Darwin] Nunez is of a decent age so he's okay but has hardly played, so it's important he gets a good run of games.
“But the important areas of the pitch, I looked at that midfield: Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, I think the youngest is 31 (sic), that's a big area of the football pitch where energy is so key. So is talent, but you need the legs to get around that midfield area, particularly if you play for Jurgen Klopp."
