Trent Alexander-Arnold feels underperforming Liverpool are expected to be "immaculate" after enjoying such a successful spell under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Since Klopp's arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2015, Liverpool have lifted both the Premier League and Champions League, while also winning two domestic cup competitions.
Klopp's side finished runners-up in both the Champions League and Premier League last season, finishing just a point behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the latter having taken the title race to the final day of the campaign.
However, Liverpool have not been at their normal levels this term and sit 16 points behind league leaders Arsenal, while they will have to overturn a seven-point deficit to fourth-placed rivals Manchester United if they are to finish in the Champions League qualification spots.
Alexander-Arnold believes Liverpool have raised the bar for themselves to a level that fans now expect constant success, telling Sky Sports: "There's a level of expectation now. It's almost like being a victim of your own success.
"People expect us to be immaculate every season and we're not allowed to have off seasons. There's a level of consistency that's demanded and we demand that from ourselves as well.
"It's a season that we've not been overly happy with, but there's still a long time left.
"We would like to be higher up the table, pushing for the title, but at the same time we are in a position to go and challenge for Champions League football.
"There will come a time when things click into place and we'll be back to where we were and where we have been. When that happens, then everyone will be happy. It's just a matter of time."
A key part of Liverpool's recent glory was Sadio Mane, who joined from Southampton in 2016 before going on to score 120 goals in 269 appearances in all competitions for the Reds.
Mane departed for Bayern Munich prior to this season, and replacement Darwin Nunez has endured a mixed start to his Anfield career after signing for a club-record £85million fee.
While Alexander-Arnold acknowledged Liverpool are missing Mane, he also defended Nunez, who has come under fire after a number of missed gilt-edged opportunities in the early days of his Premier League career.
"Sadio is a world-class player and has been for many years," the right-back said. "He's someone who will help any team he's at and do the things he does to a level that others can't, so of course we are going to miss what he brings to the team.
"But we've got other players with different qualities who bring different things to our game who will help us in what we need to do.
"[Nunez] is a player who I think it's easy to just write him off, it's easy to say he's not scoring goals. But he's getting himself into areas and places where he's able to hurt the opposition. We have faith that the goals will start coming."
Real Madrid clinch LaLiga title after Barcelona lose to Girona
Real Madrid have been crowned LaLiga champions for a record-extending 36th time after Barcelona went down to Girona.
Madrid beat Cadiz 3-0 earlier on Saturday, but Carlo Ancelotti's team could still have been caught by Barca.
Yet the Blaugrana's slim hopes were ended when they lost 4-2 to Girona.
That ensured Los Blancos' lead at the top, with four games remaining, is unassailable.
Madrid have won 27 of their 34 league matches so far this season, losing just once.
Ancelotti's focus will now turn to the Champions League, with Madrid to host Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.
Vinicius Junior's double secured a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Munich.
Pioli focused on Genoa clash as speculation intensifies over Milan exit
Milan's disappointing campaign has put Stefano Pioli under scrutiny but his full concentration remains on a positive end to the season.
The Rossoneri are second in Serie A but 19 points adrift of champions Inter, and their fans suffered witnessing their fierce rivals secure the Scudetto in the recent derby win at San Siro.
That has only increased media reports about Pioli's dismissal once the season ends, with fans also protesting at the situation Milan face.
"My task shouldn't be complicated, there are four games left," Pioli told a press conference before Sunday's home game against Genoa.
"It's true that outside they talk about everything except the games, but not us. We have a great sense of responsibility. Then we'll see what the future is at the end of the season."
Some Italian reports have suggested Pioli could move to Napoli, though the Milan head coach refuted those claims.
"No thoughts, other than the next four games. At the end of the season, I'll meet with Milan and we'll see what to do," Pioli said.
"You've waited a long time, wait a little longer to talk about the future, the work is not done. The reality is I have another year on my contract with Milan and I won't speak to any other club while I'm under contract."
The atmosphere is tense around the club, and Milan ultras have announced they will not support the team against Genoa, remaining in silence without any banners or flags, as a form of protest against the owners.
"Our fans have always been an added value, especially in difficult moments. And I don't forget it," Pioli continued.
"They have taken this position and we respect it, then we have to do everything to win the game."
Milan have a five-point lead over Juventus in third and Genoa are 12th on 42 points, moving out of relegation danger.
Arteta lauds Saka hunger after Arsenal put pressure on Man City
Mikel Arteta lauded the consistency of Bukayo Saka and his increased hunger to win after Saturday's routine 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners swept aside Bournemouth as Saka's penalty opened the scoring before late second-half finishes from Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice sealed another much-needed victory.
With two games to spare, Arsenal have equalled their Premier League win tally from last season (26), only in 1930-31 (28) and 1970-71 (29) have the Gunners won more games in a single top-flight campaign.
That is in large part thanks to Saka, who became the first player to score 20 goals for Arsenal in a season (all competitions) since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019-20 (29 goals).
He is also the first Englishman to do so for the club since Theo Walcott in 2012-13 (21 goals) and Arteta was quick to praise star winger Saka.
"The level of consistency compared to last year is very similar," the Arsenal manager said at his post-match press conference.
"There are areas he's better in. I see a different edge to him in the way he competes. He loves winning more than three months ago."
Kai Haverz won Saka's first-half penalty, though Bournemouth may feel the Arsenal forward triggered contact with goalkeeper Mark Travers.
The Cherries also had a goal disallowed at 2-0 down when Dominic Solanke was adjudged to have fouled David Raya before Antoine Semenyo turned into an empty net.
A lengthy VAR check followed both decisions but Arteta refused to comment on either incident, suggesting he had not seen them back yet.
"The honest answer is I haven't seen any of the incidents because I knew you were going to ask me," he added.
"They said do you want to see it and I said no so I can give you an honest answer!"
All 10 of Arsenal’s outfield starters attempted at least one shot in this game, the first time this has happened in a Premier League game for the Gunners since January 2022 against Burnley.
Gabriel Magalhaes almost got in the act but his strike was ruled out late on for offside, before Rice managed to add gloss to a dominant performance.
Rice was playing for West Ham last season as Arsenal capitulated in the title race against Man City, though the England international is hoping for a different outcome this time around.
"I wasn't here last year but I can sense that we are embracing it," the Arsenal midfielder told TNT Sports as Man City prepare to host Wolves later on Saturday.
"Man City are a machine and they don't lose many. Anything can happen in football. Surprises can happen and miracles can happen and we just have to stay focused."
Arsenal will continue to go about their business in hope of Man City slipping up, the Gunners have won 14 of their 16 Premier League games in 2024 (D1 L1), scoring 51 goals and conceding just eight in reply.
Indeed, the Gunners have won the most points in the competition since the turn of the year (43), but Arteta's side remain reliant on favours from elsewhere in the title race.
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