For a squad whose natural camaraderie is often cited as one of its major strengths, the sight of Virgil van Dijk and James Milner deep in heated debate at Old Trafford on Monday summed up where Liverpool find themselves just now.
As Jadon Sancho sent Milner sprawling with a composed feint before rolling the ball into the corner under no pressure from a statuesque Van Dijk, it was easy to understand the disagreement between the pair. Both players were culpable for United taking the lead and seemed to be keen to let each other know of it.
That two of Liverpool's on-field leaders were reduced to visibly bickering less than 20 minutes into the most watched football fixture on the planet did not send the ideal message that Jurgen Klopp is always keen to portray about his group of players.
