Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano thinks his team are cursed following their draw against Stoke on Saturday.
The Reds were undone by a late equaliser from Robert Huth at the Britannia Stadium, having taken the lead through Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the 57th minute.
In a week when they also crashed out of the FA Cup after a home defeat to Reading, Mascherano is beginning to feel like there is a spell on the Anfield club.
"It seems like we are cursed in terms of injuries and letting in incredible goals in the last minutes of games," he said in The People.
"The situation is enough to get anyone down, but this team is going to keep going forward because of the spirit and history of the club.
"It is normal that we are being criticised - we are all to blame for going out of the Champions League and FA Cup."
Manager Rafa Benitez has come under severe pressure following a dreadful season for the Reds, which has already seen them slip out of the title race in the Premier League.
However, Argentina international Mascherano says the whole team must take collective responsibility for their bad form of late.
"We share the credit when things go well and the blame when things go badly," he added.
"Rafa has a difficult job because this season key players are getting injured, which would upset the plans of any coach.
"Torres (Fernando) and Gerrard (Steven) are fundamental for us and any team would miss them.
"It is true we are not in certain competitions now but there are still things to resolve.
"Being champions of the first Europa League sounds good and getting into the top four after all the problems we have had, anyone of us would sign up for that now.
"They are the objectives and nobody is going to drop their guard, because it is impossible to do so with our manager.
"We have to sort out the problems and win. For once, I'd prefer to get the points over the level of our performance."
The Reds were undone by a late equaliser from Robert Huth at the Britannia Stadium, having taken the lead through Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the 57th minute.
In a week when they also crashed out of the FA Cup after a home defeat to Reading, Mascherano is beginning to feel like there is a spell on the Anfield club.
"It seems like we are cursed in terms of injuries and letting in incredible goals in the last minutes of games," he said in The People.
"The situation is enough to get anyone down, but this team is going to keep going forward because of the spirit and history of the club.
"It is normal that we are being criticised - we are all to blame for going out of the Champions League and FA Cup."
Manager Rafa Benitez has come under severe pressure following a dreadful season for the Reds, which has already seen them slip out of the title race in the Premier League.
However, Argentina international Mascherano says the whole team must take collective responsibility for their bad form of late.
"We share the credit when things go well and the blame when things go badly," he added.
"Rafa has a difficult job because this season key players are getting injured, which would upset the plans of any coach.
"Torres (Fernando) and Gerrard (Steven) are fundamental for us and any team would miss them.
"It is true we are not in certain competitions now but there are still things to resolve.
"Being champions of the first Europa League sounds good and getting into the top four after all the problems we have had, anyone of us would sign up for that now.
"They are the objectives and nobody is going to drop their guard, because it is impossible to do so with our manager.
"We have to sort out the problems and win. For once, I'd prefer to get the points over the level of our performance."
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