Pat Nevin believes the biggest thing Liverpool have lost is the fear factor they had built last season.
Yesterday's 3 - 1 defeat to Crystal Palace was the third in a row and sixth overall this season for Brendan Rodgers's side.
And speaking to us tonight, Off The Ball pundit Nevin pointed out that teams are no longer quivering in fear at the prospect of taking on a Liverpool side missing a chunk of Suarez.
Listen to the full interview via the podcast:
"If you stop Steven Gerrard playing and if you make sure Sterling doesn't get running with the ball, the rest of it is - I'm not saying they're bad - definitely not scary. And when you lose that ability to frighten people, they will just do their best against you, you're in danger," said Pat, who says Liverpool are still treated as a "scalp" despite not playing like a top team.
But how responsible is Rodgers for the downturn in form?
He does not think the signings are not of the required standard to push the club forward and maintain the momentum of last season, while he also feels the likes of Raheem Sterling will find it more difficult as opposition teams cater for his threat.
He also feels it is a Catch 22 situation at Anfield when it comes to the transfer market based on Rodgers record when he whips the cheque book out.
But he feels it would be "ludicrous" to be calling for Rodgers's head.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also under intense pressure with the belief that this could be his last season in charge in North London.
"Was anyone surprised when United started breaking on them?" said Pat of the 2 - 1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday evening, picking out a Wayne Rooney quote as an example of what opposition teams really think of Arsenal's defence.
"I think we're talking about his last transfer window," said Pat of Wenger's woes. "I think everyone's bored with it now."
But Pat said he still likes the three-time Premier League winner.
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