Former Liverpool player Peter Crouch believes that the balance of the team has completely deteriorated amidst an increasing injury crisis and that leaves them with a lot to do in order to make it to the top four at the end of the Premier League.

Liverpool suffered their fourth successive defeat at the Anfield as they lost to arch-rivals Everton on Saturday. That saw them falling behind league-leaders Manchester City by 19 points.

The Reds were well below their best during their loss against Everton and Crouch believes that his former club has high chances of missing out on a Champions League spot if they don’t solve their issues soon.

“They have been well off the pace recently but, to be honest, I’ve thought back to the start of the season and there were warning signs then,” Crouch told Daily Mail.

“I just feel there has been a big drop and the balance of the team has completely gone. No Virgil van Dijk has led to no Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in midfield; those two players provide so much and without them orchestrating things, Liverpool have lost their way.

“This is not something I ever expected to write up but they really do have it all to do if they want to finish in the top four. I don’t want to look at the derby, though, without giving Everton due credit because they played really well.”

The Premier League title is certainly out of their reach now with only 13 games to go in the season. However, they can still find a spot in the Champions League if they manage to finish inside the top four.

For that, they need a consistent streak of wins. At present, they are five points behind West Ham United, who are placed at the fourth spot and and three points behind Chelsea, who are sitting at fifth. Everton, on the other hand, have the same number of points as Liverpool having played a game lesser than the Reds.