Liverpool were undoubtedly significantly improved on recent performances as they exited the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United over the weekend.
No Reds supporter would be against winning that domestic competition for the first time since 2006, but realistically there are bigger priorities for Liverpool this season.
That statement, though, could be very different in a few week's time should Jurgen Klopp's side not improve on their current form, with vital Premier League fixtures to come shortly and the Champions League last-16 clash with RB Leipzig on the horizon.
So while Liverpool lost to Manchester United and their precarious defensive state was once again highlighted, one thing was a massive boost: they looked somewhat more like themselves in an attacking sense.
Mohamed Salah scored two on the day, taking his total for the season to 19, with both strikes well converted from Roberto Firmino assists.
Sadio Mane is to be added to that mix from the start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having come off the bench with under half an hour to play at Old Trafford.
And that is an enticing prospect, with Liverpool adjusting the way that they played in Manchester in relation to recent games.
Rather than lifting crosses into the penalty area and hoping for the best, they moved the ball much more fluidly and produced interchanges perhaps not anywhere near as smooth as against Crystal Palace in December, but at least something more akin to that.
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"According to StatsBomb's numbers, Liverpool - from West Brom to Burnley - had 88 shots and scored one goal.," said Josh Williams on the Analysing Anfield podcast.
"The probability of that being the case is extremely low and there is a stronger probability that from the exact same number of shots, Liverpool would have bagged 10 goals.
"One of the reasons for the struggles in these games was the number of crosses attempted; according to Wyscout, 39 against West Brom, then 37 (Newcastle), then 41 (Southampton), then 23 (Manchester United in the league), and 48 against Burnley.
"Against Manchester United in the FA Cup, it was 13. So that is a big drop with less focus on putting the ball into the box from a wide area and more of a focus on movement."
The problem is that Tottenham and West Ham will be the real test of whether or not a genuine solution has been found.
Both teams tend to sit in deep and defend in a low-block before looking to counter-attack which has been Liverpool's kryptonite of late.
Manchester United were more front-footed and willing to move forward and leave gaps behind them, meaning the job of breaking them down was made slightly easier.
Thursday night will show whether enough confidence has flooded back into Liverpool for their attackers to continue with that fluidity even against teams who are more defensive, or whether their troubles will return again once faced with that familiar obstacle.
