Just like last year, Liverpool’s entire campaign is starting to unravel in January.

Last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to win their four league matches in the month of January - including a loss at home to Swansea - lost both legs of their League Cup semi-final against Southampton and crashed out of the FA Cup against Wolves.

Although this season isn’t quite as disastrous, losses to bottom-place Swansea in the league and a defeat to second-bottom West Brom in the FA Cup has put the Reds on the verge of a crisis.

And with another trophyless season on the cards, questions are starting to be asked about Klopp.

While the vast majority of Liverpool fans are still fully behind the German, some pundits and fans of other clubs are suggesting that he needs to start performing better in charge of the Anfield club.

And one of those people sticking the boot into the former Borussia Dortmund boss is Joey Barton.

BARTON SLAMS KLOPP'S MANAGERIAL SKILLS 

Speaking on talkSPORT, Barton slated Klopp’s managerial skills and claimed he needs his “head examining.”

"He needs his head examining," said Barton. "He has got no Plan B. He is so stubborn that if Plan A doesn't work, he just continues with Plan A.

"For me, Van Dijk is a good player but if you had seen in him that defence on Saturday, he looked a shambles. You are guilty by association. You could put anyone in that back line [and they would struggle].

"Positionally they are in the wrong spot, attitude-wise they are in the wrong spot.

"Ten opposition shots on target and nine goals... this is an alleged elite level manager and elite level coach.

"When Liverpool go forward and get it right, they can be mesmerising at times. But they will not win anything while they are defending the way they are.

"There were shambolic [against West Brom]. The loss of Coutinho and the defensive vulnerabilities are making teams think 'this Liverpool side is a myth'."

Once this one has passed, Klopp will have had five transfer windows to sort out Liverpool’s biggest issue - their poor defensive record.

In that time, he’s brought in unconvincing goalkeeper Loris Karius, while Joel Matip, and Ragnar Klavan aren’t the kind of defenders you need if you want to challenge for major honours.

But Barton is suggesting that there’s a bigger issue than poor defenders - he seems to think it comes from poor leadership by the manager.