Liverpool were left frustrated by Manchester United. How do you reflect on the game, and was a point really that bad a result?
At this point, the source of frustration comes largely from the performance rather than the result. It was a must-win prior to kick-off in my eyes, but in many ways it was also imperative to avoid defeat - and we did that.
Things feel a lot worse than they are because it’s hard to see how we get ourselves out of this slump, and fixtures on the horizon are tainted as a result.
A point is not devastating by any means and our defensive performance was pleasing, but this slide cannot be allowed to continue, otherwise the Reds will drift further from the pack.
The big winners were Man City, who then demolished Crystal Palace. Are they in pole position at this stage, or is there too far to go?
They are definitely the team in ascendancy having emerged from their sluggish start to look like the front-runners, tightening up at the back and starting to hit their stride on the goal front.
Man City looked to have adjusted to the demands of this season and, in my mind, they are the only ones to rival Liverpool at the top - that’s if we snap out of our shackles in time.
There’s a long way to go in this strange campaign and the fixture between the two at Anfield at the start of next month continues to look increasingly decisive.
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Liverpool really need another centre-back even if Joel Matip is now back, but it doesn't look like they're getting one. Are they throwing away a chance to establish themselves at the top of the Premier League by doing so?
In short, yes. To not have any of the three specialist senior centre-backs we started the season with readily at our disposal has turned Liverpool’s season upside down.
That we need to use two central midfielders in the centre of defence has shifted the balance and we’ve been paying the price. Despite the makeshift nature of the back-line, they’ve stood up to the task in regards to keeping the opposition at bay.
However, it is further up the field where the price is being paid as the full-backs haven’t enjoyed as much freedom, raking passes from deep aren’t there and it’s stunted our attack.
Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have stood up amicably, but a defender built in the style required by a Klopp side is key and by not pursuing a move we are handicapping ourselves.
You hope it can be the backbone of a success story should we retain the title without an addition, but is it really a gamble worth taking?
Why can't Liverpool score? And are Burnley the last team you would want to face next given that is the case?
As I noted before, the switch in defence has repercussions further afield and shifts the balance and make-up of the entire team.
The lack of pace at centre-back effects the high-line which in turn influences the ability to deploy the high press for the front three to feed off, and Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to have seen his game stunted.
Injuries and COVID-19 could also be in play here but he’s not been able to exploit space on his flank as a new centre-back plays on his left shoulder seemingly every week.
He’s a key cog in Liverpool’s creative hub and his downturn matches that of the front three, all of whom have lost their goal-scoring boots at Selhurst Park and need competition breathing down their necks - which we don’t quite have at the moment.
Burnley will present another low-block and act as another source of frustration, but we simply have to find a way as there is no other choice.
Roberto Firmino wasn't firing against United. Are you worried about him, and is the answer to Liverpool's attacking troubles anything other than getting Diogo Jota back?
I wouldn’t say worried, more a player in need of a break and a reset button. For me, he’s one who thrives with a crowd, he’s a performer and he’s one I look at and think is suffering the most from playing in empty stadiums.
You need only look at his celebration against Tottenham.
Diogo Jota’s clinical finishing has been desperately missed; he was one of the in-form players before his injury and I have no doubt once match fit he will be straight in and let’s hope it’s he who infects the others and not the other way around!
I think we need to look at Xherdan Shaqiri and Takumi Minamino, but the predicament surrounding the latter continues to leave me confused as he is not even getting a look in ahead of Divock Origi.
Hopefully, just one goal is enough to open the dam wall.
Erling Haaland continues to be linked with a transfer to Europe's elite. Would he be the one you would like to supplement the attack?
He’s a star, isn’t he? The utter conviction in his own abilities is clear to see and at just 20 years of age, there is still so much potential to tap into.
A ruthless finisher who would inject a welcome level of unpredictability and he would represent the next chapter and evolution of this side and he’s certainly one I want Liverpool to be in the mix for.
Any other business?
Despite all the talk on the makeshift nature of the defence and the repercussions it has on the attack, a word of praise must once again go to Fabinho.
He’s taken the shift in his stride and you easily position him as Liverpool’s Player of the Season so far. His game intelligence and awareness know no bounds and we’re privileged to have him as a Red.
