Jurgen Klopp blames injuries on Liverpool's failed title bid
Liverpool currently sit third in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more.
The Reds were six points behind the Blues at the turn of the year, but have since suffered injuries to the likes of key players Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho.
Klopp is expected to field a makeshift defence when Liverpool host Crystal Palace on Sunday (4.30pm), with Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Lucas Leiva all doubts.
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Liverpool were just six points behind Chelsea at the turn of the year
And the Anfield boss believes key injuries have ruined Liverpool’s title challenge this season.
"I think we can all agree that if we could have played our first 12 or 13 for the whole season, and we are only six, seven, eight points away from the very interesting region of the table, then it's not unlikely that it could have worked,” Klopp said.
"But it's not important now because we don't know for sure. It's not allowed to look back. We have to find a line-up solution for the next game.
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"What I can say is that we really need all our passion in a situation like this.
“I said a few days ago that it's not about playing the best football, it's about getting results. Most of the time it works if we've got a good plan but the passion is really important.
"We need all the passion from the stands. It's Anfield. We've had two away games. It feels like we last played here eight weeks ago or something, but it was only two or three weeks. Now we are back."