Liverpool mindset shift would be foolish after fresh title hope sparked by unlikely source

Paul Gorst - Foolish to throw in towel now

The Fat Lady may not be crooning to the crowd just yet, but she is almost certainly backstage clearing her throat for Liverpool.

A two-point deficit to Manchester City does not sound like an insurmountable one with six games left to play but recent performances have not convinced anyone that Klopp's players are in position to capitalise on any slip ups between now and the end of the campaign.

How different the complexion of the table - and the general mood around the club and its fanbase - would feel if Crystal Palace had been seen off at Anfield on Sunday? The Reds would be flying to Bergamo this week in full belief they could rescue their floundering Europa League hopes having regained their status as Premier League leaders.

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If, however, is probably the biggest word in football and Liverpool fans are suddenly facing up to a campaign that ends without the glorious, trophy-laden send-off for Klopp that so many had dreamed of.

A season that ends with a League Cup trophy and a seat back at the Champions League table once more is nothing to sniff at but it feels like a paltry return just now given how lofty the hopes and ambitions were just a few days ago.

Whoever said a week is a long time in politics clearly never worked in football.

That being said, a first Anfield defeat in the Premier League since October 2022 might not be the death knell may believe it to be.

All it takes is one slip and with City still to visit a Tottenham Hotspur - a venue where they have not scored a goal or earned a point at