At the end of Philippe Coutinho’s last Premier League start Liverpool were in second place, a point behind leaders Chelsea and six clear of Tottenham.
Fast forward from November 26 to January 21 and things have changed somewhat.
Coutinho’s absence, with ankle ligament damage, had seen Jurgen Klopp’s men drop to third, below Spurs, and the Stamford Bridge train has steamrollered seven points into the distance.
The freescoring days of old had left and while the drop in form was not dramatic, it was enough to cast doubts over title hopes in a Premier League season where draws for those at the top table almost feel like defeats.