Jurgen Klopp knows full well that he must try to lift his deflated stars after they were dumped out of the EFL Cup ain the two-legged semi-final defeat by Southampton.
A win would have set up a mouth-watering Wembley showdown against arch rivals Manchester United but it is Claude Puel’s saints who will face Jose Mourinho’s men in the final at the end of next month.
Instead Liverpool must now dust themselves off and align their focus on another cup; that being the FA Cup. They are up against a resurgent Wolverhampton Wanderers side benefiting from the stewardship of former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert.
The Reds host Championship side Wolves at Anfield tomorrow (12.30pm kick-off) in the fourth round tie — and they will bid to find the net to progress, something they didn’t do against the Saints.
They lost 2-0 on aggregate with Wednesday’s defeat coming in the last few minutes thanks to a breakaway goal from substitute Shane Long.
Striker Daniel Sturridge was handed the chance to lead the line for Klopp’s men but he missed a couple of sitters and continues to frustrate; seemingly he is not the player he once was before his long lay-off through injury.
And with questions being asked of Klopp and the mental fortitude of his charges, it doesn’t seem as if there is much respite to be had.
For Liverpool face a massive challenge on Tuesday night when Premier League leaders Chelsea are on Merseyside looking to build on the eight points that makes them favourites to land the top flight trophy.
One plus point for the Reds of late, however, is that influential playmaker Philippe Coutinho, the Samba star wanted by a clutch of top clubs throughout Europe, has penned a new deal at Anfield.