The area where Klopp has ignored outsiders' advice, doubled down on his game plan and benefited. He prefers a hardworking, narrow trio who knit the team together and who serve to support the full-backs, centre-backs and forwards in different ways. He is not concerned about the absence of a creator-in-chief or a natural goalscorer and has been vindicated. Fabinho was the outstanding defensive midfielder in England until he was injured in November. Then Jordan Henderson had a golden three months as the driving force, capped by an unexpected burst of two goals and three assists in four games. Georginio Wijnaldum has been quietly consistent.

Klopp rotates less than most but his second XI have shown an ability to slot in when needed. While Matip and Gomez have both had spells at centre-back, Dejan Lovren was terrific in the 3-1 win over Manchester City. James Milner has provided excellent penalties, particularly the nerveless stoppage-time winner against Leicester, and an astonishing goal-line clearance against Bournemouth. Adam Lallana kept the unbeaten run going with a leveller at Old Trafford while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has offered dynamism in midfield. Divock Origi's goals have dried up but he got two as a weakened team thrashed Everton 5-2.