Liverpool's inconsistency is nothing new.
They've come to be known for it in recent times, and whilst they've had some moments this season, in which it seemed like they'd moved past the era of bottling league title races, a certain Swansea City comes along to offer a painful reality check.
Jurgen Klopp's side, though, aren't out of the race yet. There's still a chance, albeit very slim, as you may have already ascertained.
Defensive porousness is Liverpool's underlying problem.
It's plagued them for the past few years, and despite the team showing signs of improvement on that front, they're seemingly right back to square one.
Apart from that, the Reds need to add more squad depth and possibly introduce a real focal point in attack rather than deploying Roberto Firmino as a false 9.
With this in mind, let's have a look at five players who Klopp needs to sign in the summer to end Liverpool's title drought, which dates back to 1990.
Joe Hart - Torino (*on loan from Manchester City)
Having been shipped out on loan to Torino by Pep Guardiola prior to the campaign commencing, Hart could yet make a return to the Premier League.
Liverpool reportedly showing some degree of interest before the shot-stopper's exile from the Etihad.
Klopp's goalkeeper problems are apparent for all to see.
From Loris Karius to Simon Mignolet, the German boss can't count on either one of them to consistently keep the ball out of the back of the net.
This may lead Liverpool to Hart.
The England international could give Liverpool fans the solidarity at the back that they have craved for so long.
Much like their problems in goal, the Reds have been short of quality central defenders for quite some time.
Joel Matip, who has played only 15 times for the Reds, has proven to be the team's best centre-back this term.
Van Dijk is a top target for Manchester City and Merseyside rivals Everton, but Liverpool are also said to be interested in signing the Netherlands international, who has picked up right where he left off last season.
A defensive double-act of van Dijk and Matip would surely help Liverpool's resolve next term.
Emil Forsberg - RB Leipzig
Forsberg is undoubtedly one of the Bundesliga's standout performers this season.
Prior to the winter break, he had scored five goals and made eight assists in 15 appearances for Leipzig who continue to keep pace with Bavarian giants Bayern Munich.
Liverpool already have quality wingers within their ranks, but Forsberg would be an improvement on their current crop of flankers.
In addition to that, he would also provide some much-needed strength in depth, which is something the Reds lack at the moment as evidenced by their downfall since Sadio Mane want away to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Arguably one of the hottest strikers in Italy and perhaps in Europe, Belotti has been tipped for a move away from Torino in the summer.
With 14 goals in 18 league games, it's not hard to see why.
II Toro's star striker is a real threat in the 18-yard area and is also capable of cracking devilish shots from a distance. He could serve as a focal point for Liverpool's already productive attack, which may rid themselves of the ever unfit and underperforming Daniel Sturridge at season's end.
However, Belotti has a mammoth £84million release clause; hence Liverpool will have to break the bank to acquire his services.
Julian Brandt - Bayer Leverkusen
Klopp is a huge admirer of the 20-year-old German who has become a regular at Leverkusen in the past few seasons.
With six assists in 17 league outings this term, to go along with nine Bundesliga goals in 18 starts last season, Brandt has been a bright spark in the midst of Leverkusen's rollercoaster 2016/17 campaign.
He is an exciting player capable of causing reverberations at the BayArena with his movement on and off the ball. He's a 'Liverpool type of player' who would undoubtedly fit right into Klopp's high-intensity style of play.
Due to his age, he'd be one for the future as well as a player poised to make an instant impact at the club should Klopp build on the reported interest when the summer transfer window opens up.
The Reds are thereabouts, and could still have a say in the current title race, but a quality handful of players such as those above would certainly enhance any premiership credentials they may already possess.
