Paul Merson believes Liverpool players are hiding behind the excuse of Virgil van Dijk's injury, and need to take some accountability for their "embarrassing" run of form.
The Premier League champions are in a dire spell at the moment and have lost six home games on the bounce.
Their title defence is in tatters, and they are now closer to the relegation places than they are to table-toppers Manchester City.
Liverpool have suffered from a catastrophic injury crisis this season, with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho all facing spells on the sidelines - with Matip and Gomez out for the remainder of the season.
But Merson believes the Reds can't keep using the injury crisis as their excuse.
Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson expressed that Liverpool need to get their act together quickly in order to make the top four this season.
"I think the players have got to take some responsibility," he wrote.
"I've said all along that they've had some big injuries. It's been a tough season in that respect for Klopp and his side.
"They've lost a Rolls Royce of a centre-half in Van Dijk, they lost his partner in Gomez and they've lost numerous others along the way, but it's gone too far now.
"These players are at one of the best clubs and one of the best supported in the world. They have now got to stand up and take responsibility.
"They are at Liverpool to perform and not feel sorry for themselves because of injuries.
"If they want to play for Liverpool, you cannot just wait and rely on Van Dijk coming back. You cannot keep hiding behind Van Dijk's injury.
"This team have got to get together now and get in the top four. This club needs to be in the top four. It's just slipping away too easily at the moment.
"I would go as far as to say losing six home games on the trot is pretty embarrassing."
