Adam Lallana believes Liverpool's struggles in the Premier League are a result of their injury crisis and the absence of fans, but insisted his former team-mates cannot use it as an 'excuse'.
Lallana spent six years with the Reds and played a part in helping them clinch their first league title in 30 years before leaving to join Brighton in the summer.
Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled to match their achievements of last season with the club currently seventh in the table, 25 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool are also without a win in eight games at Anfield with Lallana's Brighton beating them 1-0 in February.
The former Reds man believes their poor form is down to the number of players they have had sidelined through injury as well as the absence of their home support.
'I think the reason is there for everybody to see,' Lallana told talkSPORT.
'It's obviously an indifferent season. Being another Covid season. Without the fans and everyone knows how much of an impact Anfield is with the fans there.
'The injuries that they have had. You cannot hide from that.
'It's not an excuse. I know a lot of the players, and I still speak to them now, and they won't be using that as an excuse, but I think it's a reason why they have struggled a bit this season.'
Klopp has had to struggle without a number of key players, particularly in defence. Centre backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez picked up season-ending injuries in October and November before Joel Matip was ruled out for the rest of the campaign in February.
That has seen the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson deputise at centre back which has disrupted their midfield.
Henderson is currently sidelined himself while Diogo Jota has just returned to fitness after a lengthy spell out with a knee injury.
The Reds were still title contenders up until the end of January but are now fighting for a place in the top four. Lallana backed his old team to bounce back next season and still thinks they can still qualify for the Champions League places this term.
'I am more than confident that they will bounce back next season when they have a few more players back and a few more fans in,' he added.
'And they still have a lot to play for this season. I am pretty sure they will want to finish in that top four, for sure.'
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