Not even Jurgen Klopp's relentless positivity has been able to escape the gloom of Liverpool's underwhelming start to the season.
But for the Reds' detractors, the last two months have offered an opportunity they have been impatiently awaiting for some time.
Indeed, it's likely the heat generated by critics rubbing their hands together on hearing the final whistle at Anfield on Saturday would have been sufficient to warm the entire stadium for the rest of the weekend.
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By contrast, Klopp cut a cold figure after the game, unwilling to entertain anything other than the problems that continue to afflict his team and were again exposed by the rollercoaster 3-3 home draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Liverpool boss was compelled to force his team last month to face up to their deep-rooted issues by sitting through a replay of their demoralising 4-1 reverse at Napoli in the Champions League, arguably their worst - and certainly most alarming - performance of his seven-year tenure.
But as he sifts through the footage of the latest frustration, Klopp - while acutely aware of what needs to be addressed - will resist the temptation to keep pounding away at the brittle confidence of his players with such a pivotal period of the season having just begun.
Unloading negativity on the squad is not the answer, especially when so-called experts and wannabe pundits are looking to bolster their flimsy reputations with supposedly controversial takes against Liverpool and players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold in particular. The Reds are being pummelled by enough bad vibes as it is without any internal addition.
Of course, it's entirely on Liverpool to silence such barbs by winning games. And the next few weeks will go some way towards determining what exactly the Reds will be playing for once the season resumes after the forthcoming World Cup at the end of the year.
The Champions League head-to-head with Rangers, the first game of which takes place at Anfield on Tuesday evening, will outline what needs to be done in the closing games against Ajax and Napoli to qualify for the knockout stages, while the next two Premier League games at leaders Arsenal next Sunday and home to champions Manchester City the following weekend will give a clearer picture of what is realistically possible in the top flight.
But even this early into the season, it would be a brave person who backs against City sauntering to a third successive title, such is their obvious dominance in almost every aspect of the sport in England at present. A top-four place already seems the limit of Liverpool's ambition in the Premier League.
And, amid the gloom of recent times, there have been some encouraging signs. Certainly, the Napoli defeat is an outlier in terms of the mentality of the Reds' players, who showed their appetite for a fight remains undiminished by coming back from 2-0 down against Brighton, even if they were ultimately pegged back. Having salvaged points against Fulham and Crystal Palace and netted dramatic late winners at home to Newcastle United and Ajax, Liverpool cannot be accused of lacking heart or determination.
Plus, even allowing for one bouncing in off an opposing defender, scoring three goals against Brighton was notable in that the Seagulls boasted the top-flight's best defence going into the game. With 24 goals in 10 competitive games this season, finding the net hasn't been a major concern, even if nine came in one match. Fifteen in nine other outings still outstrips most Premier League teams.
In terms of individual performances, Roberto Firmino has rediscovered his goalscoring touch this term, Thiago Alcantara was impressive in the second half against Brighton, Joel Matip has been a steadying influence in defence while Alisson Becker underlined on Saturday why he is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.
Then there is the imminent comeback of Ibrahima Konate and the return to fitness of Diogo Jota, while Darwin Nunez has yet to properly be given an opportunity to kickstart his Liverpool career. There's every chance those three will be increasingly involved over the next fortnight with Klopp having to rotate his resources, partly due to fatigue but primarily in an attempt to find a winning formula.
The last thing Liverpool can afford to do right now is mope. Harnessing the positives while addressing their undoubted issues is the only way the Reds can play their way out of their ongoing malaise.
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