Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, looks dejected his side's defeat to Manchester United(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

When does a drama become a crisis? Liverpool may well be pondering that question after a worrying run became a full-blown reason for genuine concern.

A dismal defeat to Manchester United sent the Reds tumbling to a fourth successive loss for the first time since November 2014.

Those were the dark days that signalled the beginning of the end for then-manager Brendan Rodgers, who had been compelled to rebuild his attack following the departure of Luis Suarez and a serious injury for Daniel Sturridge.

OPINION

But while Rodgers was compelled to bring in Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, the latest revamp of the forward line under incumbent Arne Slot saw Liverpool twice break their club record this summer for striker Alexander Isak and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz while also spending big on Hugo Ekitike.

With last season’s Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah having penned a new deal,...