Jamie Carragher says the pressure is on teams to put together a winning run in order to claim top spot in the Premier League.
Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Monday continues the Reds' stuttering recent form, with both Manchester United and Man City able to leapfrog them if they win their games in hand.
The Reds are the latest side to endure a blip, with Man United, City and Chelsea all having had poor form of their own at points in the first half of the season.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said it is a case of one team putting a run together in order to stake a claim for the title.
He said: "Liverpool were really encouraged at the start of the season with the way Man City started, when you think of the 5-2 against Leicester, lots of draws at home.
"United lost a few games at the start of the season and now Liverpool are going through a sticky patch, and they need to come out of it quickly.
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"Everyone is waiting for someone to do that seven or eight games on the bounce of winning and I think someone will at some stage.
"I think if someone does do that, then it could take them away from the pack.
"Man City were five or six points behind Liverpool a couple of games ago and if they win their games in-hand then they can go three or four points clear, that’s the way the season is going to be.
"Liverpool were in a great position - it’s still early on - but they could’ve put a bit of daylight between themselves and the rest in some ways, but the last three games have really pegged them back.
"You can’t get too down this season when you don’t go on a good run of form because a couple of wins and you’re back at the top - and that’s the way this season is going to go."
