Liverpool's setback after falling behind to Manchester United in the Premier League added further pressure to a side already dealing with a number of worrying trends this season.
The match arrived with Liverpool sitting three points behind United in the table, and with Mohamed Salah absent, making the comeback task even harder in one of the biggest fixtures of the campaign.
Going behind also revived memories of Liverpool's defeat to United in the first league meeting of the season, as well as the difficult spell before the Aston Villa win when the team had suffered four straight Premier League losses.
The contest remains a key stop in the race for European places, with Liverpool still chasing greater tactical and results stability in the closing stretch of the season.