Chelsea have lost six successive league matches, leaving them ninth in the table and in danger of missing European football entirely. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports this week that the club is "broken." McFarlane, who replaced the sacked Liam Rosenior last month, addressed that assessment directly.
"It's Jamie's job, he's a pundit, he's got to give his opinion and I respect that. But no — I wouldn't agree with it."
He was equally direct about what he sees in training every day.
"The group are disappointed with the performance against Forest. We reviewed it as well. I haven't seen any rows or rifts or anything out of the ordinary. They are elite players who have got to this level by having the talent and the mentality and the drive. It's just about bringing it out."
Chelsea travel to Anfield facing a six-man injury crisis. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez will miss out after suffering a head injury in Monday's 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, meaning Danish shot-stopper Filip Jørgensen will start — his first appearance since Chelsea's 5-2 Champions League humiliation at Paris Saint-Germain.
"I still have faith in Filip," McFarlane said.
Wide forwards Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are also unlikely to feature with muscular issues, joining Brazilian winger Estevao Willian, Scottish winger Jamie Gittens and teenage debutant Jesse Derry — son of former QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry — on the sidelines. Derry suffered a head injury in the Forest match and will not play again this season, though McFarlane offered a positive update on his condition.
"I spoke to Jesse's dad the night it happened and the family yesterday. The early signs are really positive. As long as he's healthy, that's all that really matters."
Two defensive boosts offer some encouragement. Defender Levi Colwill and right-back Reece James have both trained fully across the week and are expected to be available.
"It's great to have them back. Two top players. Elite players. England internationals. In my opinion, Colwill is one of the best centre-backs in world football. Levi is a complete footballer — whatever you need a centre-back to do, he can do it."
The broader picture is uncomfortable. Chelsea sit four points behind Bournemouth in sixth — a position that could yet carry Champions League qualification if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth. A permanent manager has not yet been appointed, with Andoni Iraola among the candidates linked with the vacancy.
"This club needs to be competing at the forefront of football, in the biggest competitions," McFarlane said. "It's something this club is designed for."
Liverpool won this fixture last season and are fighting to confirm Champions League qualification on Saturday. Chelsea have won the reverse fixture twice already this season. They will need that level again — without half their attack.