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If Liverpool's collective morale has taken a hit this season, it's hardly surprising. Their smooth sail to a record-equalling 20th top-flight English title was a stark contrast to their turbulent defence of the Premier League.
The initial weeks of the campaign seemed like business as usual, with Arne Slot's team bouncing back from their Community Shield penalty shoot-out loss to Crystal Palace by clinching victories in their first seven matches across all competitions.
However, a late defeat to Palace in September, this time at Selhurst Park in the Premier League, triggered a dismal run of form that even sparked speculation about the future of the man who guided Liverpool to championship glory in his debut year.
Amidst dealing with a very public outburst from Mohamed Salah, Slot has managed to calm the brewing storm.
With Salah back in the squad and impressing as a substitute in his final match before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, the Reds secured a 2-0 home victory against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
This win means they've bagged eight points from the last possible 12 and remained unbeaten in five matches, including an impressive 1-0 Champions League triumph at Inter.
While this streak offers some optimism, no one at Anfield is getting carried away. A glance at the table, which sees the defending champions languishing in seventh place, 10 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, serves as a sobering reminder.
Despite the challenge of catching the Gunners at this point in the season appearing daunting, former Liverpool legend Michael Owen insists Slot's squad still have plenty to fight for.
The Reds trail a top-four spot by just two points, whilst their triumph at the San Siro has put them in a strong position to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Owen expressed his belief that his former club will only improve, particularly as their major summer acquisitions begin to gel.
He said: "The confidence of keeping a clean sheet and winning another game after going away in Europe playing a tricky game... this is a seriously good team.
"If everyone plays at their absolute peak, I still think Liverpool are the best team in the world. I do.
"They are obviously not showing it regularly but they won the league at a canter last year and they have signed incredible players, invested for the future, and these players are going to come good.
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"This is a team that aren't going to go away and are going to be title contenders for the next five years.
"As much as they're not playing very well, you've still got to be fearful of Liverpool. They have beaten Arsenal and Aston Villa and have gone away in Europe and are doing well in the Champions League.
"Everyone is talking about this disaster, but they're top six and flying high in the Champions League.
"It is not a disaster yet and there is a long way to go, and these new signings are only going to get better."
The Reds are back in action on Saturday with an away trip to Tottenham Hotspur (5.30pm). They then welcome Wolves and Leeds United to Anfield before heading to Fulham and Arsenal, followed by a home FA Cup third round tie against Barnsley.
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