You know things are going horribly wrong when you have just been thumped 5-0 at home and the manager of the winning team, less than a week later, is hungry for more.
But that is exactly what happened to Manchester United on the eve of their trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
Just when United were drawing up their final plans in an attempt to make amends for last Sunday's 5-0 hammering at the hands of arch rivals Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp's plea to see improvements from his players, after their memorable trip to Old Trafford, is the last thing that everyone connected with United would have wanted to hear. It was a hard-hitting admission and one that will hurt.
“We have to improve, we know that," Klopp said, speaking ahead of his side's clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. "The world is like this - you win 5-0 against United and everything is perfect. Well, it was not.
"United had clear-cut chances, which we gave them. We should not rely on luck or Ali [Alisson]. We could have done better. This is how we spoke at half-time, even though we were 4-0 up.
"It is really important you believe you have to play better, otherwise you open up the gate for them. I saw the first half, we gave too much away. We have to improve, in general."
If improvements are what Liverpool are in need of, United are in need of miracles. The gulf in class between the two sides, as proven by last Sunday's watershed moment for United, is so big that it probably measures more than the 32.8 miles that separate Old Trafford and Anfield.
Liverpool are light years ahead of United and Klopp's admission, demanding more from his players, only intensifies the concerns United's supporters must have right now.
Admittedly, although Liverpool made light work of United, so much so that they found themselves five goals to the good with 40 minutes left on the clock, the Merseysiders were not at their very, very best, meaning Klopp's admission does have some truth and substance to it.
Still, it will be deeply concerning for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who will know that time is running out for him to save himself from the axe at Old Trafford, and his players that Klopp has delivered such a comment.
For a team as blessed with talent as United's is, to have been hammered 5-0 in their own backyard and then discover that the manager of the opposition is demanding more, it has to act as a significant breakthrough moment, both in terms of their mentality and performances on the pitch.
It is easy to point the finger and pick the bones out of such shoddiness after such a dismal performance, but United should take note of Klopp's comments and use it as a motivational speech to reignite their season.
Klopp wants more after a historic 5-0 away win. An away win that Liverpool's supporters will tell their grandchildren about in years to come. United are simply desperate for a win, regardless of how it comes. That is the difference between these two clubs right now.
Klopp's admission, a damning verdict on where United are currently at, if you like, has to serve as a wake-up call.
The question is: will it inspire United to turn their fortunes around make up for one of the darkest days in the club's rich and colourful history? Only Solskjaer and his players can decide.
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