When Liverpool just missed out on the Premier League title in 2013-14, the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea is often pinpointed as the key reasons for the failure to get over the line.
But the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace eight days later was also significant as a 3-0 lead and two precious points were squandered. Luis Suarez was naturally inconsolable at the final whistle.
So far, this season, the Reds have not lost to any of the teams in the Top 6 i.e. Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
That being said, Jurgen Klopp's side do have to face Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham one more time each.
This Saturday, it's Spurs who provide the opposition. Towards the start of the season, both sides played out a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane.
And if one was to take current form into account, there would be worries about Liverpool's chances even at Anfield.
The Reds have failed to win a single league game since the start of 2017 as their title challenge fades.
Yet it's not the Top 6 sides that are troubling them. During their horrendous run of form in 2017, they still managed to earn 1-1 draws against both Man United and Chelsea.
Roberto Firmino against Swansea
And their overall record against the five other members of the Top 6 this season reads three wins, four draws and no defeats.
That is a haul of 1.8 league points per game.
Their points per game against the other 14 teams in the Premier League this season is slightly higher than against the Top 6 - standing at 1.94 points per match.
But that should be par for the course and masks a couple of facts. While 10 victories have been gained against those less heralded sides, they have also drawn three times.
Worse, Klopp's team have suffered all four of their league defeats to those 14 sides below the Top 6, which would almost make up the 13 point gap that exists between them and league leaders Chelsea.
Of course, defeat to less heralded sides is part of the game and happens to almost all teams at one point or another even in positive seasons.
But losses like the 2-0 setback against Hull City last weekend and the 3-2 home defeat to Swansea on January 21st are haunting the Anfield side.
In a way the signs were there when they fell to a 2-0 loss at Burnley in their second game of the season, in between their 4-3 away win at Arsenal and 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
It will be telling if Liverpool can raise their game against Spurs this weekend and put in a better showing than they did against Swansea and Hull.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
