A former Premier League star has expressed his reasons as to why he believes Liverpool are lagging behind Chelsea this season.
Jason McAteer turned out for the Anfield club between 1995 and 1999, making 100 league appearances for the Reds.
Liverpool made a promising start to this season under the enigmatic Jurgen Klopp, but have fallen away since the turn of the year, crashing out of both domestic cup competitions.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have stormed clear since September’s defeat to Arsenal, and are currently nine points clear of second-placed Tottenham, with Liverpool thirteen points behind in fifth.
McAteer, a former Republic of Ireland international, reckons that, unlike Antonio Conte’s Blues, Liverpool have lacked a killer instinct, and claims they have become a soft touch in recent weeks.
“I always feel like Liverpool are a nice bunch of boys,” said the former winger who was speaking exclusively to 888sport.
“A nice team with players you could take home to your mum.
“You look at Chelsea and there is a bit of horribleness about them.
“Costa and Luiz and even Cahill to an extent.
“It’s a battle for them. It becomes horrible.
“Since Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard retired there have been big shoes that haven’t been filled but you can’t make a leader, they’re born.
“So I’d like Liverpool to go into the market and bring in someone with those leadership qualities.”
By Steve Osborne              @BlizzardSteve75
