Why have Liverpool made such a slow start to the Premier League season?

Liverpool have made their worst start to a Premier League season under Jürgen Klopp, failing to win any of their opening three matches for the first time since 2012‑13 and being leapfrogged by “crisis club” Manchester United following the defeat at Old Trafford on Monday. We take a look at the reasons why …

Having pushed last season for the reintroduction of the five‑substitutes rule, Klopp has yet to reap the benefits because of a high number of absentees. The Liverpool bench at Old Trafford – though not the starting XI – paled in comparison with the experience and game-changing options available to Erik ten Hag. Klopp had 14 outfield players from what could be considered his first‑choice squad and turned to the 19‑year‑old Fábio Carvalho, making only the third Premier League substitute appearance of his career, to spark the belated response against United. Liverpool started the season with injury problems – Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konaté chief among them – and the list has grown with every passing week. “The witch” who is cursing the AXA Training Centre according to Klopp is not entirely accountable for stretching Liverpool’s resources. Darwin Núñez is absent because of his own recklessness. The headbutt he landed on Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen means the centre-forward will again be suspended when Liverpool seek their first league win of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Naby Keïta’s latest fitness problem meant four midfielders were out injured against United, although that does not excuse Liverpool’s inability to deal with the home side’s speed, mobility and aggression. Only one of the quartet – Thiago Alcântara – could be seen as a certain starter with everyone available and Klopp’s decision to keep