Liverpool scramble for answers as season collapses

Jurgen Klopp removed his top scorer just after the hour mark on Thursday but it did not prevent a 1-0 defeat and a fifth straight home loss for the first time in their history.

The wheels have come off quickly for Liverpool, who were crowned English champions last season for the first time since 1990.

As recently as mid-January, Klopp's men were top of the league and in the title picture despite being hampered by a spate of injuries, most notably to central defender Virgil van Dijk.

Up until their shock 1-0 defeat to Burnley in January they had not tasted defeat in the league at Anfield since April 2017.