Liverpool sit 11 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table with their title defence over.

Simon Jordan has dismissed claims that Liverpool shouldn’t have sold Darwin Nunez in the summer transfer window.

After winning the Premier League title last season, the Reds’ defence has already come to an end before Christmas. They are ninth in the table, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, and have lost six matches.

Liverpool have regressed despite having a significant squad overhaul in the summer. Alexander Isak was signed for a British record fee of £125 million but has netted only one league goal and while Hugo Ekitike has scored three times in the top flight.

What’s been said

The Reds sold Nunez to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal for up to £56 million after he spent three seasons on Merseyside. En route to claiming Premier League glory, the Uruguay international nagged five league goals.

And former Crystal Palace owner Jordan believes it is folly to think Nunez would be Liverpool’s answer to their issues if he’d have stayed at Anfield. Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan said: “People will ask about the idea of why they bought Isak and Ekitike then people start talking about Nunez. I've heard people start to rewrite history. Nunez was a waste of time, they couldn't get him out of the door fast enough, people couldn't criticise him more. Then all of a sudden, he is the reason potentially why Liverpool aren't operating at a level. Nunez couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo at times.”

Szoboszlai ‘catching the bug’

Liverpool head to Leeds United with head coach Arne Slot under pressure to deliver. The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw against Sunderland earlier this week, with the performance largely toothless.

Plenty of Liverpool’s players’ form has plummeted, including Mo Salah - who scored 34 goals last term - Alexis Mac Allister and Ibrahima Konate. Dominik Szoboszlai has unanimously been the Reds’ best player. Yet Jordan suggested that the midfielder could be ‘catching the bug’.

He added: “This Liverpool side are there to have a go at and their lustre has gone. It's the same, to an extent, as Man City. People think they can have a go at Man City. Previously, Man City and Liverpool were beating teams in the tunnel.

“Why players aren't at the level, why they aren't at it is beyond me because that's a choice. If you're out of form and sorts, the next player comes in and you use rotation but this is a malaise that has pervaded the entire team. Look at some of the ball [Dominik Szoboszlai] took, they have got a corner to try to win the game and it can't even beat the first man. That's symptomatic of the malaise running through the team. He is catching the bug.”