Tuesday 9 October 2018 08:03, UK
Liverpool's recent poor run of form does not mean they cannot challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title, according to Craig Bellamy.
The two sides played out a goalless draw at Anfield on Super Sunday, a result that leaves Jurgen Klopp's Reds joint top of the table with City and Chelsea.
However, after Liverpool's recent four-game spell without a win in all competitions - a run that includes defeats to Chelsea and Napoli in the Carabao Cup and Champions League respectively - some have questioned whether they are able to compete on more than one front this season.
And, in particular, it is Liverpool's normally free-flowing front three of Mo Salah (one goal in his last eight matches), Roberto Firmino (no goals in five) and Sadio Mane (no goals in seven) who have come under scrutiny.
Bellamy, though, has dismissed those concerns.
"I think they are fine, they are still creating chances, alright their final ball could be better," the former Liverpool striker told The Debate.
"Napoli are a really, really good team and Man City are one of the best teams in the world. It is two games and I am not worried about it.
"They have all been involved in the World Cup as well. Mane has started the season really, really well, got his goals again like he always does.
"Are they still making the same runs? They are. It is just the little bits of detail, the final ball could be better at times.
"And if we go off the last two games, you have Napoli away and they are a good team in the Champions League, the quality of their players like Dries Mertens.
"And then you have just had Man City… Liverpool are doing alright."
What gives Bellamy most optimism going forward about his former club, however, is their new-found solidity at the back, with Liverpool currently sharing the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League.
"I am more impressed with how solid they are because Liverpool have not been solid," he said.
"That front three will score goals, it is too long a season and they have too much quality not to. But my concern was always defensively and in transition, when they lose the ball they were always vulnerable.
"But with Virgil van Dijk being there now, they have just shorn it up. Maybe they got a touch lucky with Man City missing that penalty, but I have seen enough from the Chelsea and City games that defensively they can see out games now even if they are not playing well.
"And Liverpool will have taken a lot of confidence from that."