There is never a good time to lose a match. But some occasions can be significantly more difficult to cope with than others.
And the old adage dictates that Liverpool's reverse at West Ham United last Sunday - thwarting attempts to set a new club record of 26 games unbeaten in all competitions - was particularly poorly timed given the international break immediately followed.
The subsequent vacuum often allows defeat to linger, prompting post-mortems to be lengthier and more forensic, all while the players are desperate to make amends as soon as possible rather than be spread across the world.
However, there's every reason to believe the fortnight's break from Reds action may end up being the best thing that could have happened to Jurgen Klopp's side.
Evidence comes when looking at past achievements under the German's tutelage.
READ MORE: Sadio Mane injury latest as Senegal boss gives update on Liverpool star
STEVEN GERRARD: First words from new Aston Villa boss after Liverpool legend leaves Rangers
READ MORE: Liverpool to land part of £1bn windfall as Premier League watch on
Liverpool's success in recent seasons has often been forged on the back of lengthy unbeaten runs, whether it be at a particular venue, in a certain competition or, as has been the case most recently, against no matter who or where.
And when those sequences have been eventually brought to an end, the reaction from Klopp's side hasn't always been encouraging.
The most glaring example of this is when their long, proud 68-game unbeaten home Premier League record was ended by Burnley in January.
Liverpool then proceeded to lose a further five Anfield top-flight games in succession, failing to score from open play until Aston Villa were beaten 2-1 in April.
The previous season, the Reds senior squad put together a 33-game run without defeat that was interrupted by the Academy side, who were representing the first team, losing at Aston Villa in the League Cup but beating Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.
That sequence was ended by a Champions League round of 16 first leg defeat at Atletico Madrid, sparking a further three losses in the next five games that saw hopes of an unbeaten Premier League season ended at Watford, the Reds dumped out of the FA Cup at Chelsea and then lose the return against Atletico.
Klopp's side suffered only one league defeat the previous season, although it proved decisive as Manchester City's 2-1 triumph at the Etihad in early January ultimately determined the destiny of the title.
But it also prompted a run of just four wins in 11 games, during which Liverpool dropped a further eight points with draws at home to Leicester City and away to West Ham, Manchester United and Everton while losing in the FA Cup at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Not easy fixtures, for sure. But they cost the Reds hopes of domestic silverware that campaign.
And in 2017/18, Liverpool went 18 games unbeaten through autumn and winter, after which a loss at Swansea City was immediately followed by FA Cup defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion.
All of these runs were curtailed when Klopp's side were in the midst of hectic schedules with no time in which to take a step back.
This international break has allowed for that following the loss at West Ham. Now Liverpool must ensure they give themselves a period to reset and go again.
