Former Manchester United assistant Steve McClaren has suggested that Liverpool are struggling with the same "subconscious complacency" that affected the Red Devils following their treble-winning season.
The Reds sit 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League table but have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, most recently to Chelsea, who beat Liverpool 2-0 in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, McClaren fears that Liverpool could suffer a demoralising defeat in the Champions League, much like Manchester United did in 2000 when they were beaten by Real Madrid.
"What concerns me is that in the last four games, they've conceded eight goals. To win things, you've got to keep clean sheets and you can't rely on the front three scoring all the time," said McClaren, who took over as United assistant in the aftermath of their 1999 treble triumph.
"What we had after the treble - and I see it a little bit at Liverpool - is complacency, and it's subconscious. You think you're doing the work, but you're not.
"Liverpool winning the league very early, it might just be affecting them. It certainly has over the last four games."
Liverpool will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.
Oliver Thomas
