Jason McAteer column: ‘Liverpool could be in relegation battle’

I’d have to agree with Jamie Carragher’s comments. It doesn't look like there are any leaders in the team. There’s no one pointing fingers, no one getting the lads pumped up when they go behind. Sometimes when it’s not going well, when the tactics aren't working, it’s just about rolling your sleeves up, getting your hands dirty and doing the basics well.

I think the players need to take their fair share of the criticism. At the end of the day they’re playing for Liverpool and you can’t just rest on last season’s achievement; that's gone. Some of the new faces are struggling to cope with the pressure of playing for Liverpool. You have to put a performance in, get results. The manager sends you out with a job and it’s up to you to implement it and win football matches. You look around at Liverpool yesterday and all you saw were slumped shoulders. Sterling and Coutinho look like they’re sulking. Steven Gerrard looks lost at the minute, like he doesn't have the answers. Before the game I was positive, thinking our next four games were winnable, but it’s just gone from bad to worse. At the start of the season top four was the objective, but now we could be in a relegation battle. At this stage the club are almost looking at what’s behind them in the table instead of those in front. We’re going to need leaders and characters, because it’s going to be a battle and if we are to come through it Liverpool need to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. If you aren't willing to do that as a player, then you’re gonna find yourself in a battle. Nothing is given to you in this league. I would agree with Carragher’s comments about being worried as a Liverpool fan. In this situation you’re looking for a response, when you go 2-1 down you want players to get on the ball, to look to create something. But right now I don’t know where the it’s coming from, Steven can’t do it on his own. We looked bewildered yesterday. Last season Liverpool’s defensive frailties were papered over by the amount of goals we scored. Yes, Suárez was really important, but we didn't have him for the first 10 games and we did fine. We've played 12 games in the league so far this season and right now I don’t know where the goals are going to come from. I don't think we have the same character as last year. Before yesterday’s game, Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert had gone almost 1000 minutes without a league goal between them. That’s unacceptable, you can’t play be a striker for Liverpool and not score goals. There are two types of holding midfielders, the so-called quarter back, who starts moves off, has a full range of passing and keeps things ticking over. Steven does that particularly well, but I’d like to see him played further forward. So far this season he hasn't been helped by the movement in front of him, particularly Liverpool’s striker. They haven’t stretched the play and aren't willing to run behind defences, so the midfield can't then work their magic. Playing in Steven’s position, you need movement. Right now there’s no quick fixes, but I’d play Lucas at the base of the diamond, and move Steven behind the front two. Lucas is the other type of holding midfielder, the Makélélé type, who can stop people ghosting into the box and running of diagonal balls. Steven can’t do everything and the way Liverpool are playing at the moment isn't helping. The Champions League game on Wednesday is huge. Ludogorets caused Liverpool trouble in the previous game and they’re decent at home, but we have to go there and get something, otherwise it’ll just add to the pressure on Brendan. The next four games are absolutely crucial in Liverpool’s season, but at the moment we don’t look like we can beat anyone. The money spent in the summer made Champions League almost the minimum requirement, but it’s looking as far away as ever. In my experience, when you’re in this situation as a player you can either hide or do something. There were rumours coming out of the dressing room after the game that there’d been a bust up and I kind of hope there was one. I hope there’s being fingers pointed, names called or accusations flying around. In my experience, a bust up could be the spark you actually need. I was in a dressing room when punches were thrown and the manager sat back and let the players do it. It was the response he wanted and sometimes it’s a healthy response. You might think that’s not great, but as a footballer, you can need to see that. You want to see some anger, some frustration and finger pointing because that could be the catalyst for the next game. To go out and prove people wrong, to show you’re not a soft touch. You've got to go out and show character, to dig deep. Liverpool right now need characters. Lovren was making noises but you've got to show it, it’s no good telling people you’re going to be a good player, you have to prove it. In a way Liverpool and Brendan are probably victims of their own success last season. The club were on a crest of a wave and we went into transfer market in a strong position, but I think some of the new signings have maybe struggled with the philosophy of the football club. I know the squad needed strengthening but did we really need to bring in nine players? Maybe players who are already the finished article would have been money better spent. The next four games are absolutely crucial for Liverpool, the team have to pick up wins before the Arsenal and Manchester United games. The way this season has gone too, a couple of wins and a team can move their way back up the table. The league is still wide open and that’s probably what Brendan will look at, but we've got to start winning. It was great last year, but it’s a different now. This is a different kind of battle.