The Uruguayan believes that a combination of the tough fixtures they have had and ill fortune with referees has cost them.

It makes it more difficult when your opening fixtures of the season are against strong teams like Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United – they are not easy games", he told Liverpool’s official site.

"We also have new manager and I think we’ve been a bit unlucky at times, but we’ve been playing the kind of football he wants us to play."