Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says the club's ownership issues are no excuse for the players.
The Reds are currently in the dropzone after a poor start to the season.
Souness told the Daily Star Sunday: "What's going on in the background has been used as an excuse for Liverpool's poor performances on the pitch - but I don't think it should be. If the players are using it as an excuse, it's a total cop-out.
"Roy Hodgson hasn't been blaming all the uncertainty about the club's future on the team's poor form.
"It's not his fault either, because he's taken on the job at the toughest time in Liverpool's history since Bill Shankly was appointed.
"There's every chance things could get worse before they get better too, because the last thing Liverpool would have wanted is to play Everton next.
"The Toffees haven't had the best start this season either but even when they were losing matches they were playing quite well."
