Liverpool are stuck in a rut in the Premier League and a moment during their defeat by Chelsea on Thursday summed up Jurgen Klopp’s efforts to rouse his side out of their slump.
The Reds’ title defence has been one to forget, with Klopp’s side seventh in the table, four points off the top four and 22 adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.
Mason Mount’s goal was enough for Chelsea to win 1-0 at Anfield and become the fifth successive side to take away three points from Liverpool's home ground.
The Chelsea midfielder latched onto a ball in behind, cut inside Fabinho from the left-hand side and beat Alisson with a curling shot into the bottom corner minutes before the break.
Liverpool had been blunt in attack, struggling to fashion anything against Thomas Tuchel’s stout defence and went in 1-0 behind at half-time.
As the players returned to the pitch 15 minutes later, the cameras zoomed in on Klopp giving Sadio Mane a pep talk while giving his forward a hug.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports at the time: "They need to get the ball up to the front men because a bit more has got to happen for this man - he needs that cuddle - for something to come off his backside or something like that."
Unfortunately for the Reds, nothing of that ilk happened and Mane now hasn’t scored in eight games, since the 3-1 away win at Tottenham on January 28.
Liverpool managed just one shot on target all evening as Chelsea’s defence kept the front three of Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino quiet.
Salah was not pleased to be substituted by Klopp after 62 minutes - his earliest substitution since 2017 - and failed to hide his disappointment as he took up his place in the stands.
There was more frustration on the pitch too as referee Martin Atkinson and the VAR turned down the Reds’ appeals for a penalty after the ball struck N’Golo Kante’s hand inside the area.
Liverpool have now lost five of their last six Premier League matches and face a fight just to qualify for the top four.
Klopp’s side will now look to end their unprecedented five-game losing run at Anfield against Fulham on Sunday before the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
