Liverpool's starting XI the last time they lost four consecutive games in 2014 will give fans nightmares

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Liverpool have come a very long way since they last lost four matches on the bounce.The Reds are going through an incredibly tough period right now for the first time since Arne Slot came in.Manchester United handed them their fourth successive defeat, something that has not happened since November 2014.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Brendan Rodgers was in charge at the time and they lost to Newcastle, Real Madrid, Chelsea and then Crystal Palace.Although that run of games was, arguably, harder than the ones Liverpool have lost in 2025, the Reds were certainly a lot worse then than they are now.A look back at the team they fielded against Palace in the fourth game proves just that, with it being safe to say they have come a very long way.DefenceLiverpool’s defence today has come under a lot of criticism, but looking back at the one they fielded in 2014 proves that they have improved massively.Simon Mignolet started between the sticks, with the Belgian known as ‘just’ a solid option, while Glen Johnson and Javier Manquillo were the full-backs.The two centre-back options were Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren, two players who were known for their physicality rather than their ability.The Reds conceded seven goals across these four games, the same amount they have let in during the same amount of time 11 years on.MidfieldThe first name in midfield, and the player who should have been the first name on the teamsheet each week even though he was not, is Steven Gerrard.This was his last season for the Reds, with a reason for this being that Rodgers benched him for the Real Madrid game, suggesting he was no longer as important as he once was.Alongside him was the ‘Welsh Pirlo’ as many Reds fans called him, this being Joe Allen.READ MORE: ‘Nervous wreck’ Milos Kerkez slammed by two former Liverpool heroes for Man United displayHe very much ‘did the job’ for Liverpool during this period of time but was never a star in the team, with it no wonder they were in such a poor run of form given their options in this part of the pitch.Playing as the number 10 during this time was none other than Philippe Coutinho, with the Brazilian certainly one of the stars of the team.

AttackThe forward line is where things get very interesting as two of the players went on to be very successful at Liverpool, while the other did not.Adam Lallana started on the left for this one despite often playing more centrally, while Raheem Sterling played on the opposite flank.As most fans would imagine, these two should have given the Reds plenty in the final third and created a plethora of chances for the team, but this simply did not happen during this period.The lone striker was none other than Rickie Lambert, the boyhood Liverpool fan who played just one season for the Reds.Ironically, it was him who scored their only goal during this game in the second minute, although he did not offer much more and Palace scored three to turn the game on its head.Liverpool’s lineup vs Crystal Palace in 2014