Monday 7 December 2015 08:15, UK
Dietmar Hamann reckons some people "got carried away" over Liverpool's potential this season - and says a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle showed how they must improve in possession.
Hamann was critical of Jurgen Klopp's side's failure to create chances as they managed just a single effort on target throughout the game.
The Reds had been tipped as potential title contenders after impressive away victories at Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton in recent weeks but, speaking on Super Sunday, former Red Hamann argued they have a way to go to reach that level.
"I think [talk of the title] has also got to do with the lack of form of some of the other title contenders; United not playing well, City losing, Chelsea being near the bottom of the table," Hamann said.
"People did get carried away. Yes, they did have a few good results but the reason I felt they may struggle today is that they had to play like a home team today, where they have struggled.
"They beat Swansea, just, they've struggled to find a way past Southampton when they played them at home, drew one each [with] Rubin Kazan.
"So quite a few very iffy games where they came out on top or drew the games but didn't play well and this is what you have to do against Liverpool."
Hamann believes that it is on the ball in particular that Liverpool must improve and pointed to the absence of playmaker Philippe Coutinho as a big loss.
"Jurgen Klopp said it in the week, he said: 'We have to be better in possession' and I think today they showed where they lack," Hamann added.
"Without Coutinho and without [Daniel] Sturridge for large parts they struggled to create chances and find a way through the Newcastle defence.
"For large parts they looked very ordinary. So they need to bring these two players back, we need to see how long Sturridge is fit, but I think overall, whoever is on the pitch, they have to improve their retention of the ball.
"Today they were very un-composed, they lost so many easy balls, their passing was off today and this is why they didn't create any chances and only had one shot on target.
"I think their strength at this moment in time will be away from home because without their creative players they are struggling to create chances."
The German also had a season at Newcastle in his playing days and he felt they did everything they could to knock Liverpool off their stride.
"It was impressive the way they defended and stifled Liverpool," Hamann said.
"Liverpool didn't cause much of a problem or a threat, 89 minutes it took for a tame [Dejan] Lovren header - that was the first shot Rob Elliott had to save.
"Going forward [Newcastle] were a lot better. At times they were still a bit hasty and not composed enough, they turned it into a scrappy game. They took their chances well and in the end I think they deserved to win.
"At the time [of the first goal] they probably felt Liverpool were there for the taking, 'they don't threaten us' and they got a bit lucky and got the first goal."
