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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Elliott Jackson

Mark Lawrenson sends strong message to Liverpool supporters after Newcastle United reaction

Mark Lawrenson has dismissed any criticism of Liverpool's form after drawing their last two matches with West Brom and Newcastle United.

The Reds were uncharacteristically held at home by Sam Allardyce's Baggies and couldn't find the breakthrough at St James' Park on Wednesday night.

Despite having their three senior centre-backs ravished by injuries, Liverpool remain top of the Premier League by three points, a remarkable feat given their problems with keeping players fit.

Lawrenson believes that any question marks over Liverpool's title credentials in the wake of two draws underlines the remarkable standards set by Klopp's side, who amassed 196 points in their last two league campaigns.

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“If they were not creating chances then it would be a serious worry, but they are still making loads of them,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.

“If they had nicked a goal at Newcastle on Wednesday, which obviously they could and should have done, then they would have won, gone five points clear and everyone would be saying 'who is going to stop Liverpool now?'

“Instead, it is a case of 'well, they are only three points clear'. It's a fine line, that changes people's perceptions of how a team is doing when it really shouldn't do. I've spoken to Liverpool fans who tell me 'oh, we're not doing well at the moment, and we can't put away our chances'.

“My response is usually quite dry and along the lines of 'no, they are only top of the league and with half their team missing - and that front three have been terrible for the past three years, haven't they?'

“Being serious though, teams don't win the league by 15 points every year. This is what usually happens with the ebb and flow over the course of a season when you are challenging for the title - and you have to remember Liverpool are not being beaten either.

"The reaction when they do drop points just shows you the standards they have set.”

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