COMMENT: So is Sunday the game? Will a heaving Old Trafford deliver the wake-up call Jurgen Klopp needs? To shake him? To convince him that Liverpool need to be buying more than simply potential?
Erm, don't bet on it.
For no matter what happens at Manchester United this weekend, Klopp's team building plans are set in stone.
What a difference a couple of months make, hey? Could you get a better contrast? In October, at Anfield, Manchester United arrived as rank outsiders. Bereft of any style, system or even spirit.
But ahead of Sunday, it's Liverpool which go to Old Trafford with some heavy clouds hanging over them. Sure, it's not at the level of United. Cast your minds back, before and even after that stalemate, and we had stories of Jose Mourinho being upset with his players, the players questioning him and the board wondering where to go next.
Today, Jose is smiling. Sir Alex is hitching a ride to away games. And even Sir Bobby is applauding the football Mourinho is producing.
In contrast, it's Liverpool which are spluttering. Still waiting for a first win since the turn of the year. Now it's their turn to face United as underdogs.
But more hinges on this game than simply form. For two growing, maturing teams, Sunday is looming as a watershed in their development. And is why, for all the piddling, nagging problems that have hit Liverpool in 2017, they're in better shape to emerge from this clash intact than Mourinho's lot.
For as impressive as United's winning run has been - their best in eight years - there'll still be some doubt in their minds. Bar Tottenham, United's results have been achieved against teams - on paper - they should always be knocking off. For all the bravado of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, that decisive win against a big rival is still missing. In the development of this team, Mourinho knows how significant beating Liverpool will be for his players.
For Klopp's team, such doubts don't exist. Victories at Chelsea and Arsenal. A decent point at Spurs and a win at home against Manchester City is the stuff of champions. They're a big match team. It's getting up for lesser opposition that's been their problem. But on the big night. Against a direct rival. Liverpool never disappoint. As much as things haven't fallen their way over the past fortnight, going to Old Trafford will hold no fears.
The one doubt will be the absence of Sadio Mane. Can Liverpool find a way through United's back four without his pace? And if they can't and they leave Old Trafford beaten, how will Klopp react?
The manager has gone on record stating he will sign a player in Mane's mould this month - should something come up. But don't put your money on an instant hit. An impact player in the guise of Ronny Rosenthal. Klopp's approach to the transfer market is becoming more and more clear. The likelihood of a Rosenthal or Glenn Hysen arriving for that instant effect is slim. He's hell-bent on buying for the future. The plan for this Liverpool team is to grow together. And he's offered no signs of deviating from this blueprint.
Even if Zlatan Ibrahimovic had made the call himself, you couldn't see Klopp bringing him to Anfield. Initially, this column believed the German was being handcuffed by those upstairs. He was a victim of FSG and the bean counters they'd hired to insist on 'sell-on value' being imprinted into every transfer Klopp considered.
But it's really the manager, himself, who is driving it all. It's why Loris Karius was brought to Anfield. Joel Matip. Mane. Young players. Exciting players. With potential and room to grow. It's what Klopp does. He'll wait a window to sign a Mane, rather than throw his money at an instant, short-term option.
It may be frustrating for some of the faithful. But you can see what Klopp is doing. What he's building. And unlike Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, there is an end goal to be achieved. He doesn't travel to Melwood to watch the pretty players playing in their pretty patterns. He's building with a purpose. It's why Mamadou Sakho has been shunted aside. Why Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith offloaded. For all the hugs and smiles, Klopp can be ruthless. If the attitude doesn't fit. If they're not quite to standard. They're gone.
He has a plan. A blueprint. Klopp, more than anyone else at Anfield, knows how to get Liverpool back to the summit. His way isn't €100 million fees nor €250,000-a-week wages. It's to build. To coach. And it's why, no matter what happens on Sunday, he won't panic.
This Liverpool isn't going away. There'll be setbacks. It's what happens with a young team. But there's a clear method to what Klopp is doing. Reds fans can see it developing before their own eyes.
Not since the days of Dalglish (the first time around), has English football seen a Liverpool manager with such a clear, open plan for his team.
The giant is awake. Thanks to Klopp's principles. And no matter what Sunday's result is, this new, young Liverpool is here to stay.
