It was the final insult for those Liverpool supporters who were brave enough to stick out watching another absolute horror show right until the bitter end.
As relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers knocked the ball about unchallenged during injury time, the Molineux crowd lapped it up with cheers of “Ole” every time one pass inevitably found its mark.
For Jurgen Klopp, though, each salute would have felt like a dagger to the heart as his Reds side slumped to another truly appalling result after an at times shockingly bad performance.
AS IT HAPPENED: Wolves vs Liverpool goals, highlights and analysis
PLAYER RATINGS: Joe Gomez terrible and six others awful in Wolves embarrassment
Brighton and Hove Albion two weeks earlier was the self-confessed nadir of Klopp’s reign, but at least the Seagulls are a more than competent side. Wolves, floundering around near the foot of the table, are nowhere near that.
Earlier in the second half, the home fans had taunted the Reds boss as he stood on the touchline with cheery chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” shortly after Ruben Neves had walked through the invisible Liverpool rearguard to tap in Wolves’ third and end any lingering hopes of a comeback from the visitors.
Klopp isn’t standing on the precipice just yet. He has far, far too much credit in the bank having transformed Liverpool from perennial also-rans to champions of Europe, England and the world.
But right now it’s patently obvious something isn’t right. The Liverpool boss on Friday dismissed suggestions of an attitude problem after his unhappiness with some players’ body language, and the manner in which the Reds responded to an undoubted half-time rollocking indicates that, for all of the criticism, they aren’t lacking in effort.
The more worrying truth is they just aren’t good enough. Not even close. Yes, the disruption caused by relentless injuries to key personnel – Ibrahima Konate the latest to pull up lame – has been a problem. So too the physical and psychological hangover from last season. And there’s no doubt Fenway Sports Group could have given Klopp special dispensation during the January transfer window.
However, that doesn’t excuse the dreadful opening to this game that essentially gift-wrapped the points to Wolves after only 12 minutes.
It doesn’t excuse players being unable to regularly complete simple tasks such as tracking back, passing to team-mates and defending with any sort of conviction.
And it doesn’t excuse Klopp himself. His recent team selections and substitutions have done little to change the ongoing trend. If the Reds' coaching team, as he insists, have been constantly seeking new solutions, they clearly aren’t the right ones. And, more pertinently, are his players actually listening?
The Wolves fans weren’t finished. “Can we play you every week?” they chanted during the closing moments, no doubt oblivious to the fact that seemingly has been the case of late.
Certainly, Liverpool are the team everyone wants to face right now. And with Everton up next, a dire 2023 is already fast approaching a potentially critical point. The Anfield natives aren’t restless just yet – but the Reds are seriously testing their patience.
READ NEXT:
- 'Not right' - Mohamed Salah sent Liverpool message as new contract claim dismissed
- New Liverpool partnership highlights uncertainty Klopp admits is 'not perfect'
- Most expensive Premier League XI revealed as Liverpool star stands out among flops
- Jurgen Klopp explains Liverpool criticism and rubbishes training ground problem
- Liverpool add five new players to Champions League squad as two axed
