Wednesday 25 January 2017 12:27, UK
Liverpool have had a terrible January so far - and the first month of the year has proved to be their least successful in the Premier League era.
The Reds have recorded only one victory this month - a 1-0 win at League Two Plymouth Argyle in an FA Cup third round replay after drawing 0-0 at Anfield earlier in the month.
Jurgen Klopp's men, who were second in the Premier League on New Year's Eve, six points behind Chelsea, have slipped to fourth in the table, 10 points behind the Blues, after draws with Sunderland and Manchester United and a shock 3-2 defeat to Swansea at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds also lost 1-0 to Southampton at St Mary's in the EFL Cup semi-final on January 11 and face the Saints in the second leg live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm on Wednesday.
But Klopp isn't the first Liverpool boss to start a new year on the wrong foot. Our study of their results since the start of the 1992/93 season highlights just how much the Reds have struggled with the January blues...
January is Liverpool's worst month. They have won just 45 per cent of their games across all competitions during the calendar month over the last 25 years.
This season, the Reds have only won once, or 16.7 per cent of their games, after winning all of their fixtures in September.
It's been a slippery slope from their early-season heights - they won 80 per cent of their games in October, 75 per cent in November and 66.7 per cent in December before this month's season-low return.
What are the reasons behind their struggles? Well they've missed winger Sadio Mane and influential midfielder Philippe Coutinho, through Africa Cup of Nations international duty and an ankle injury, respectively.
Plus, Klopp's high intensity style - which has seen Liverpool top the Premier League table for distance covered and sprints - could be taking its toll after a hectic festive schedule.
As well as a mid-season stutter, Liverpool have also struggled to finish seasons strongly in the Premier League era. The month of May has been Liverpool's second-worst month since 1993 - they've only won 46.2 per cent of their games during that month.
That trend was apparent in 2013/14, when Liverpool narrowly missed out on claiming their first Premier League title after drawing 3-3 with Crystal Palace in May.
The Reds have recorded season-low win rates in May in 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1999/2000, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2009/10 and 2011/12. Liverpool rarely finish a season with a flourish.
In contrast, Liverpool's best month is March, during which they have won 58.4 per cent of their games since 1993, followed by August (58.2 per cent), October (54.1 per cent), April (51.4 per cent) and December (51.2 per cent).
The Reds have won all four of their games played during July, three in 2005 and once in 2010 for Champions League qualification and Europa League, respectively.
Watch Liverpool v Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm on Wednesday
