Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Liverpool stars prepare for crunch Champions League clash with RB Leipzig - in pictures

Georginio Wijnaldum admits they have to triumph to save their season

Georginio Wijnaldum, Xherdan Shaqiri and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on March 9, 2021 in Kirkby, England. Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum insists only winning the Champions League can save Liverpool's season.

A last-16 second-leg tie against RB Leipzig offers some respite from the drudgery of the Premier League, where the Reds' form has dropped off a cliff.

After being top at Christmas, Jurgen Klopp's side have seen their Premier League title defence crumble and their top-four hopes take a battering, having won just 12 points from the last 42 on offer.

Returning to action in a competition in which they had enjoyed a lot of recent success, winning the European Cup in 2019 having reached the final the previous year, may be just the break the players need.

They take a 2-0 lead into the match on Wednesday night, and Wijnaldum said: "Of course the Champions League can rescue this season but I think a lot of people only say it is rescued if you win the Champions League and everyone knows how difficult it is."

Wijnaldum, who joined Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and the other Liverpool players in tuning up for the Leipzig clash, added: "I think there is always pressure when you play for a club like Liverpool and you have the results that we have had now. There will be a pressure to bounce back and show we can do better.

"We want to do better but we have to show it. It has hit us hard. Definitely, everyone can see it.

"There is confidence in the team and the players and each other but it is less than we are used to because of the situation we are in.

Six Premier League defeats in a row at Anfield

Liverpool's terrible run of form at Anfield started against Burnley on January 21, with a 1-0 defeat. Forward Mohamed Salah clearly didn't enjoy the occasion. Getty

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker looks dejected after the Burnley defeat. Getty

Burnley's Ashley Barnes celebrates with Josh Brownhill and Dwight McNeil after scoring the winning goal that started the Liverpool slide. Getty

James Milner looks down after the second successive Premier League at Anfield, a 1-0 win for Brighton on February 3. Getty

Andy Robertson trudges off after losing against Brighton. Getty

Robert Sanchez did the damage, scoring the only goal of the game for Brighton. Getty

Alisson Becker and his team-mates had another miserable night on February 7, as Liverpool were hammered 4-1 by champions-elect Manchester City at Anfield. Getty

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool lduring the third defeat in a row for Liverpool at home. Getty

Raheem Sterling celebrates one of the four Manchester City goals. Getty

Another painful night for Liverpool on February 20, as can be seen in the expressions of Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah, after a 2-0 defeat by Mersey rivals Everton. Getty

Jurgen Klopp consoles Andrew Robertson,and Divock Origi after the Everton defeat. Getty

Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane celebrate Everton's win at Anfield. Getty

The fifth defeat in a row in the Premier League at Anfield came on March 4, when Chelsea won 1-0. Forward Roberto Firminho struggles to hide his feelings. Getty

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho looking glum after the Chelsea defeat. Getty

Chelsea's Mason Mount celebrates their winning goal. Getty

Six Premier League defeats in succession at Anfield, a club record. Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the 1-0 defeat by Fulham, a team in the relegation places. Getty

Naby Keita after the Fulham defeat. Getty

Antonee Robinson of Fulham celebrates with team-mate Ola Aina after their famous win. Getty

"We were used to winning games and winning trophies and now it is the opposite, the confidence is less than the previous years but that is because it is a totally different situation we are in right now.

"We feel really bad. The way we deal with situations during games was really bad.

"When we analysed the games, it makes us even more angry because we can see that we can be doing so much better.

"But the situations we have faced in the games where we have conceded goals have had nothing to do with injuries. That is what we are basically most disappointed in."