Jurgen Klopp may continue to argue that he was correct in not adding to his defensive options for Liverpool during the summer transfer window, yet reality continues to offer a different perspective.
The latest evidence against the German’s non-action before August 31 arrived at Wembley on Sunday, when his side were hammered 4-1 by opponents who were presented their goals in a manner almost entirely of the Reds' own making.
Some of the visitors' defensive work, particularly that of centre-back Dejan Lovren, who lasted barely half an hour, was utterly lamentable and it would cost them a heavy defeat. It was fitting that on an afternoon upon which they were so shambolic, they conceded their 1000th goal in the Premier League.
The numbers, however, portray a match that was far more closely fought.
Indeed, Liverpool dominated on may of the categories traditionally deemed so important. They claimed nearly two-thirds of possession (64 per cent), completed nearly twice as many passes as their opponents with 10% higher accuracy, won many more corners and dominated territory.
Mauricio Pochettino, however, has set his side up as one of the most dynamic attacking forces in England, so when they did get forward, they proved highly effective. Only 14% of the time they were in possession was spent in the Liverpool attacking third, yet they made it count spectacularly as a double from Harry Kane added to strikes from Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min to give them a straightforward success.
Liverpool’s porous defending helped them on their way, with the Reds’ tackle success down at 64%. This came in contrast to the home team, who were able to boast an impressive 87% on that front. Furthermore, they conceded nine fouls over the course of the fixture, in contrast to their opponents, who lost just two, despite seeing comparatively little of the ball.
This was a fixture defined by the sheer inability of Liverpool to defend but also the discipline of their opponents, who did not put a foot wrong at the back and proved to be ruthlessly efficient when they were given opportunities at the other end of the field.
While Tottenham are eyeing a serious push for the title for the third time in as many seasons, Klopp’s Liverpool side have been left to answer many more questions, having fallen to ninth in the table below the likes of Watford, Newcastle and Burnley.