Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has raised concerns after Virgil van Dijk's comments in the wake of the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.
The 45-year-old believes it is worrying and concerning in the manner that Arne Slot's side crumbled at the Etihad Stadium. Van Dijk admitted that he and his Liverpool teammates gave up during their capitulation against City, despite a positive start in their quarter-final.
The humiliating cup exit leaves Liverpool with Champions League qualification as the only remaining objective. They currently sit outside the top four, five points off fourth-placed Aston Villa, and while they have the potential security net of fifth-place qualifying for the elite European competition, Chelsea, Brentford and Everton are applying pressure.
He told talkSPORT: "They had their chances which they never took, we all know that you have to take their chances in the big games. City were outstanding but it was worrying and concerning the way Liverpool did crumble.
"But it's even more alarming what the players are saying after the game, saying there's no fight, gave the game up, at Liverpool Football Club, that can't happen on the pitch and can't be said off it. Worrying, worrying times I must say."
Mohamed Salah announced that he will be leaving Anfield after nine trophy-laden years on Merseyside. Salah's revelation came during the international break where he confirmed that this season would be has last and he will leave the club just 12 months into a two-year extension.
Despite pressure surrounding Slot, Liverpool have been steadfast in their backing for the Dutchman. However, the next seven to 10 days could be crucial for the Premier League-winning manager.
The Reds travel to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in their quarter-final first-leg before welcoming Fulham on Saturday, with the return fixture against the Ligue 1 giants on Tuesday (April 14).
What the future holds in the summer with the head coach in the Anfield hotseat remains to be seen but with Salah's impending exit, questions surrounding who replaces the Egyptian record-breaker.
However, the former Liverpool captain is confident that the club have options to replace Mohamed Salah, even if they don't go like-for-like following the Egyptian star's exit.
He said: "The concern if you're trying to Salah, like-for-like, there's very few out there. Olise would be one but I don't think he'd be available. From being around Liverpool, the recruitment team will have different options, that doesn't necessarily mean like-for-like.
"When we had to replace Mane for example, they signed Diaz, when Suarez or Torres has left, they've had different type of options.
"Liverpool have a fantastic record of replacing top players so I've got every confidence from a recruitment point of view that they'll have different options. They'll have to replace his goal involvements which is extremely difficult because he's been incredible for Liverpool."
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