Liverpool's hopes for a fresh start in 2023 came crashing back down to earth against Brentford. Then in the FA Cup, trepidation outweighed the excitement as the problems continued.
Said issues didn't just continue, they mounted on Saturday against Wolves. Although there is an element of luck with Hwang Hee-Chan's equaliser on Saturday and an error from Alisson, the struggles are glaringly obvious.
The Reds' defence of the FA Cup is intact, for now, after Toti Gomes' potential winner was ruled out by the assistant referee. The growing consensus around the fanbase is the desperate need for a midfielder.