Some Liverpool stars are reportedly 'feeling the effects' of Jurgen Klopp relentlessly putting them through their paces in training.
The champions have been a poor imitation of themselves this season, and are out of the Premier League title race 10 games before the end of the campaign.
Reds boss Klopp is under pressure to turn things around on all fronts, with Liverpool still competitive in the Champions League, but seven points behind the top four places.
Failing to qualify for the Champions League next season would have a catastrophic impact on the club financially.
Injuries have played a huge part in Liverpool's decline this season, with Klopp having to get creative utilising midfielders in defence and reserve stars in the first team.
But some of Liverpool's best players, who have avoided injury, have been distinctly off-colour this campaign.
According to the Transfer Window Podcast, a well-placed source at Liverpool has claimed that some individuals have started to feel the effects of training and playing on the edge for the past three seasons.
The squad have been required to maintain a 'heavy metal' intensity, which has brought them European and domestic success but has also resulted in them becoming burnt out this season.
It has not been reported which players feel they are perhaps being worked too hard.
But pundits have picked up on certain individuals looking tired this season.
Former Liverpool star Jason McAteer, for example, recently told FreeSuperTips: "What Liverpool have done under Klopp in the last few seasons is brilliant, and there was bound to be a drop-off point somewhere.
"When a player is slightly older and more into their career, you can handle it better, but with Trent [Alexander-Arnold], he's young, he's played football at the highest level and playing every week.
"It's a lot of mental pressure for a young player to deal with. He looks worn out mentally and physically, and his brain looks fried.
"Despite this, you still have to play him in the game against Manchester United. It's the biggest game of the season in the Premier League so players don't feel tired in the build-up to it. If Klopp wants to rest him for a few games, you do it after the United game."
