Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara admits the players have failed to recover from last season's Quadruple failure.

Jurgen Klopp explained 10 days ago that he had underestimated what a toll playing in every game of the last campaign had taken, so it was significant that Thiago became the first member of his squad to publicly acknowledge the hangover.

"It is not just about physical stuff," Thiago said. "It is something psychological because we were so close to winning everything and we just touched it but sadly it went away. In the bad moments, we have to be together as a team.

"Last season we had one of the greatest seasons I've ever had in my life. This season is not one of the best but it doesn't matter. It is a challenge."

One explanation Klopp offered was fitness but it felt a reflection of the way Liverpool have been playing. In this form, it would not be a huge surprise if they failed to make the top six, but Thiago says that isn't even a consideration.

"We go game by game to get points to help us be as high (up the table) as possible," the Spain midfielder explained. "Our aim is the next game. Not to be in the top four or the Europa League, just the next game.

"There is a long way to go in the season. We are in a position for the Champions League and FA Cup. We are not in the position we want in the Premier League but still we are there and that's good."