"I talk about complacency" - Danny Murphy on two Liverpool players

Pundit Danny Murphy has labelled both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold as 'complacent'.

Liverpool have had a shocking start to the season. The Reds have only won two of their opening six Premier League fixtures.

Liverpool also lost their opening Champions League group stage game 4-1 to Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium last week.

Murphy believes that some players, like Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, have become complacent this season.

As quoted by Anfield Watch on Twitter, he told talkSPORT the following: “When I talk about complacency I aim it at Van Dijk a lot, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold and some of the other lads are but I think he’s guilty of it. There’s a little bit of lethargy about his play, like he’s playing in third gear.

“We’ve got to be careful to not go too overboard on this but my feeling is there’s an air of complacency among some of the players.

“They’ve fallen into what some managers call a ‘comfort zone’. Of course they go out with good intentions but when you know you’re going to play nearly every game. I think that can cause complacency at times.

“Van Dijk looks like he’s playing protecting an injury. I don’t think he is but that’s the way it looks.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Perhaps a bit of complacency has crept in. The reality is, Liverpool competed for the quadruple last season.

Therefore, it's bizarre to think that the Reds have hardly won a game so far this campaign. But, injuries certainly haven't helped the situation.

The likes of Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip have missed quite a few games due to respective niggles.

Also, Darwin Nunez was suspended for three Premier League fixtures. Hopefully we see a change in Liverpool's fortunes as the season progresses.