Fabio Capello has claimed Liverpool are "not the same side it was a few months ago" as they prepare for a huge Champions League round of 16 tie with Inter Milan.
The Italian also suggested that Inter are more than capable of springing a surprise and eliminating Jurgen Klopp's side from the competition at the first knockout hurdle.
Liverpool's recent form hardly supports Capello's theory given they have the chance to extend their winning run to seven games if they secure a win at the San Siro.
However, Capello is firm in his stance that if it were not for Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker they could have been on the wrong end of some surprise results.
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"The current Liverpool is not the same side it was a few months ago,' Capello told Sky Sports Italia.
"Klopp said it was his strongest team? Well, he would say that, what do you expect him to say?
"The Liverpool goalkeeper has recently been man of the match in every game. That says a great deal about how they are defending."
His comments are similar to Gary Neville's assessment of Liverpool which came during the opening exchanges of the league season.
The former Manchester United star alluded that all was not well within the ranks in the red half of Merseyside.
Speaking in September, Neville told Sky Sports: "I was at the game on Saturday, Liverpool v Chelsea, and I said after the game - sometimes you can't put your finger on it [but] something's not right.
"Not bad. There's no massive spirit issue, or the manager falling out with players. Nothing like that.
"But there is something just missing. I remember going three years ago and thinking 'we [United] are in trouble'. Two years ago thinking, 'we are in serious trouble'.
"The crowd. The players. The speed of the football. The front three. Alisson and Van Dijk came. Oh dear. They are going to win the league.
"You can just feel it and see when something is right. It's just not there [now], that team has gone a little bit just over the edge.
"They are not the team they were two years ago. They are a good team by the way - they will win a lot of games. They'll go close.
"But I don't think they are there. There is something just not quite right."
Neville's assessment was hardly bang on given Liverpool have enjoyed a recent stellar run of form, but they have fallen some way short of placing pressure on title rivals Manchester City.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has given the Reds a tad more credit, explaining: "Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe, but our players deserve to play these kinds of games.
"We haven't played in the round of 16 for many years and although it will be very difficult, we'll try to make it.
"On paper, Liverpool are the favourites, but games must be played. I'll ask the players to go on the pitch and play our football with a free mind, showing our ideas."
