Alisson Becker believes that Liverpool are their own biggest opponents right now as the club seeks to address an alarming slump in form against Everton on Monday evening.
The Reds are without a league win in 2023 and have suffered miserable away defeats to Brentford, Brighton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, conceding three times on each occasion. The damaging run of results has left Jurgen Klopp's side 10th in the Premier League with their Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
The Brazilian goalkeeper accepts that the team need to acknowledge the current situation they find themselves in and get to work on rebuilding their fragile confidence, starting with the Merseyside derby next week.
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Speaking to the club's official website, Alisson said: "It's a difficult moment – we recognise that. I think the first step you need to make for changing the situation is recognising your real situation. We are doing that. For this week, we have time, we are working hard. We know the importance of a derby and we know what is the importance and meaning for us to have a good performance, to show to our supporters that we still have the desire inside of us. We are going to do that and try to win the game.
"I think confidence is something that comes to you with good performances, good results – we are not having them at the moment. We are having moments where we are performing well during the games – just this doesn't give you confidence. But we know that in football everything can change quickly for the bad, for the good. Now we understand and we believe that in the next match everything can change for us. We are going to focus on the performance to get that confidence back and try to win the game to get the three points, no matter what. And fight for our team-mates, for the supporters, for the team, for the people that support us, for our families and be strong together."
Two weeks ago, a trip to Anfield for Everton looked like a daunting prospect. They were stuck in the relegation zone and managerless following the sacking of Frank Lampard. But since then, Sean Dyche has been appointed and the Blues have seen an immediate about turn in results, securing their first win in the Premier League since October with a surprise but deserved 1-0 victory against league leaders Arsenal at Goodison Park.
It gives Liverpool's neighbours fresh impetus before crossing the park on Monday and hope that they can pull off only their second victory at Anfield since 1999.
When asked if Everton's changing situation could make them an unpredictable opponent, Alisson said: "They could be. But every game we have had in front of us, they have been really big challenges for us – I think because of our performances, not because of the opponent. I believe at this moment our biggest opponent [is] ourselves. And then, of course, we have Everton with really good quality. They are not in a good situation but they changed managers, they are excited, they beat the leaders in the league and this shows they have the quality there in their team. It's a derby – they're going to fight for the result but we're going to fight as well.
"We have our supporters on our side and when we are together, we are stronger. We know how strong we are when we are together on the pitch and with the crowd supporting us. That's what we need to do and that's what we need to be on Monday."
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