Liverpool's title hopes took another hit on Saturday as their former goalkeeper Sander Westerveld described the frustrating draw against Chelsea as "the story of the season." The Reds, who once looked invincible, are now struggling to find the "perfect balance" that made them so formidable last year.

Arne Slot's men got off to a flying start, scoring early in the first half against a Chelsea side that has been far from their best this season. But instead of pushing for a second goal, Liverpool slipped into a "passive" approach that ultimately cost them two precious points in their fight for Champions League qualification.

"It's the story of this season," Westerveld told BBC Radio Merseyside after the match. "All the injuries, not fit players and Curtis Jones playing right-back again so it's never really a fit team. They start well and score a great goal but we can't get it over the line."

The former shot-stopper pointed out that Chelsea found too much space far too easily, exposing a Liverpool side that has lost its defensive edge. "They can't dominate the game or ball possession and Chelsea played very well. They found space too easy and we gave them too much space at the back."

Westerveld, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win at Anfield, believes the team has drifted too far from the aggressive identity that made them champions. "Last season, I think what Slot did was get that 100% forward play, that aggressive pressing from Jurgen [Klopp] – he changed it a little bit to dominate the ball and keeping the ball a little bit more and the balance was perfect."

"But this season it seems the balance has gone the other way; too passive, you play the ball around the back for too long to each other, nobody is moving and at the end, even the crowd starts booing. It's lacking energy and that's bad."

For a team that once prided itself on relentless intensity, the current passive approach is a worrying sign. As Liverpool look to salvage their season, they'll need to rediscover that aggressive edge—and fast—if they want to secure their spot among Europe's elite next season.