Can Liverpool cope with challenging for EPL and Champions League?

Daniel Sturridge has been a huge miss for Liverpool

Liverpool seem stretched but have they signed well in the summer to fight on two fronts this season?

It's been a rough old start to the season for Liverpool - Life after Suarez is proving to be a bit of a slog.

Even the victory at QPR was met with derision in most quarters and with a double-header against Real Madrid looming, we assess the Reds chances of challenging both domestically and in Europe as the season gathers pace.

Failing to Ignite

Last season Liverpool were a rampant attacking force. They were a team that nobody wanted to face from Christmas onwards.

It now appears as if all of that momentum was generated by just one man - and he's gone to Barcelona.

Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson all seemed to flourish with Suarez leading the band.

Admittedly, Sturridge has had little chance to make an impact this season but the rest of Brendan Rodgers squad appear to have completely lost their way.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is the Reds joint top scorer with three goals - two of those coming from the penalty spot. Sterling joins him while no Liverpool striker has found the net more than once.

This from a team that hit four or more goals an incredible eleven times in the Premier League alone last season.

Worryingly Unstable

Meanwhile at the back, Liverpool look desperately unstable. QPR really should have been two goals to the good at half time in Sunday's clash.

After Coutinho had seeming rescued the points for his side, the Reds were not able to defend a simple set play into their penalty box and had to produce a scarcely believable escape to leave Loftus Road with three points.

Rodgers admitted his side were lucky. A classic managerial understatement if ever there was one.

In this current vein of form, challenging on any front would be a real bonus for Liverpool - much less trying to balance their struggling act on two fronts.

Simon Mignolet continues to lack assurance in goal while Jose Enrique was exposed at full-back on Sunday and apparent mystery surrounds the absent Alberto Moreno.

Real Awakening Looming

The European champions arrive at Anfield on Wednesday night and given the recent form of both sides, it is hard to not to envisage Cristiano Ronaldo and company issuing a cold, hard reality check to this Liverpool team.

In their opening two Champions League ties Liverpool scraped past Ludogorets and lost in Basel.

Phil Thompson recently voiced the opinion that because the game is at Anfield, famed for European glory nights down the years, Liverpool will produce something special and upset the odds.

Pride before a fall comes to mind - this Liverpool team simply don't look remotely capable of going toe-to-toe with Madrid for 90 minutes.

On Sunday, Charlie Austin, Bobby Zamora and Eduardo Vargas caused untold problems for Liverpool's defence. Even though Gareth Bale looks set to miss out, Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos could have a field day.

Short-Term Targets

Liverpool's flirtation with the title last season was as unexpected as it was at times breathtakingly brilliant.

For now, it has got to be viewed in isolation.

The signing of Mario Balotelli looked a desperate roll of the dice back in August. The Italian is on course to haunt Rodgers for the rest of this season.

The Liverpool manager must hope to get Sturridge back fit and firing as soon as possible. With the England striker back in the team, the Reds will present an increased threat.

The upcoming games against Madrid will offer Rodgers a glimpse of where he would like his team to be given time. For now, it could be present a painful illustration of their shortcomings.

Six points away to Ludogorets and home to Basel could see Liverpool through to the last 16 if they can get them.

The league is Rodgers' key focus. Retaining their place in the top four is an absolute must for both football and financial reasons.

They look destined to scrap for that fourth spot with bitter rivals Manchester United this season.

That in itself is going to be fascinating tussle in the months ahead.