Liverpool's campaign was effectively summed up against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, with the Reds dominating the majority of the play but 9 failing to find the back of the net with enough of their shots.
Mohamed Salah managed to score once in the early stages and plenty was generated in attack afterwards, but Steve Bruce's men scored an equalising goal in the last minute, forcing Jurgen Klopp to settle for a point at Anfield.
Interestingly, the match was very similar to the Carabao Cup final which took place 24 hours later and was played by Manchester City and Tottenham at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola's outfit created attempt after attempt on goal, posting a total of 21 efforts by the end of the clash compared to Spurs' measly figure of two, but one of the crucial differences between City and Liverpool was a set-piece goal scored by Aymeric Laporte.
In the 81st minute, the French centre-back headed home from Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick delivery; goals from open-play are likely to be preferred by the majority of coaches - especially Guardiola - but it was a goal from a set-piece which resulted in City lifting the trophy after 90 minutes.
Liverpool have been without that luxury for most of the season.
An aerial threat and extra avenue to finding the back of the net has been lacking, with only five goals scored from corners in the Premier League this season by the current champions.
Last season, for perspective, the Reds ranked top of the division for goals scored from corners with 11, which was at least two more than any other team, but that looks as though it will be halved this time around.
The last player to score a league goals from a corner for Liverpool was Salah on December 19th, with two of Liverpool's five goals from corners scored by Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, both of whom are injured without a comeback date in place.
Klopp's forwards should not be excused for the number of chances they are failing to convert at the moment, but it has to be noted just how valuable an occasional goal from a set-piece can prove to be when it comes to picking up points.
Ozan Kabak has tried to perform to the standard of Van Dijk and Matip, but his aerial success simply isn't as strong; he's winning 56% of his aerial duels on average which places him 102nd in England's top-flight, whereas Matip and Van Dijk placed first and second last year.
Nat Phillips is hailed for his ability in the air, but he's yet to score from a delivery into the box and his win rate of 71.4% places him 20th in the Premier League.
It seems Klopp will have to manage without goals from dead-ball situations until next season at the very least, meaning that he'll be almost forced to keep relying on the problematic finishing of his star attackers in the meantime.
