Liverpool's season is finally starting to see the Reds look close to their usual selves - but after five straight wins, Jurgen Klopp's men are still not satisfied.
Following a torrid start to the campaign, Liverpool have left themselves with a mountain to climb if they are to secure Champions League qualification for next season. However, the tide appears to be turning and Klopp's side are starting to find some form, though whether it is all a case of too little, too late, remains to be seen.
What is clear currently, is that even after five consecutive wins the current crop of Liverpool stars are still downbeat and aiming to improve. Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted as much after Wednesday's 1-0 home win over Fulham at Anfield.
"The fans were as good as they always are. It reflects where we are in the league and what we have to play for left," the Reds right-back explained.
"It’s not where we want to be and that’s as a club, as players, staff and fans. We want to be in title races at this stage of the season or in genuine top four races. We’re not in that right now and that might be why the mood is a little low."
Alexander-Arnold went on to identify one of the many problems that has plagued Liverpool's season in steep drop-offs in the second-half as he added: "It’s becoming a bit of a pattern. We haven’t been able to sustain our good starts. It’s something we probably need to look at."
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Captain Jordan Henderson was equally bleak when asked about his side's top four hopes. Liverpool currently sit fifth, four points behind Manchester United having played two games more than the Red Devils and the England international does not harbour much hope that their rivals will be caught.
Having been asked whether Liverpool can put pressure on Erik ten Hag's side, Henderson replied: "I doubt it. I think if you look at who is ahead of us, they are very good and quite far ahead.
"I think we’re just thinking about us and our performance levels. Hopefully we can be a lot more consistent when we come back after the summer."
It is a testament to the standards of Liverpool as a club and the standards Klopp has set himself in recent years that with four games still to play and Champions League qualification still a possibility, the Reds are so disappointed.
As Henderson declared, all eyes are now on next season to try and right the wrongs of this term.
