Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has claimed that the team's run of matches at the beginning of April could determine whether or not they finish in the top four this season.
Jurgen Klopp's side have endured a hugely underwhelming campaign so far, losing seven of their 24 league games and failing to mount anything resembling a title challenge.
Early exits from both the EFL Cup and FA Cup, in addition to a heavy defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, have also contributed to the 2022-23 season being a major drop-off from 2021-22, when the Reds almost secured an unprecedented quadruple.
However, Liverpool's league form has improved recently, with Klopp's men having kept four clean sheets in a row and taken 10 points from 12 on offer during that run.
The most recent of those results saw the Merseysiders run riot at Anfield against bitter rivals Manchester United this evening, winning 7-0 for their biggest-ever victory against the Red Devils.
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"It was unbelievable watching the second half. It was the shock of, 'How's this first half ended up like this second half from both teams' point of view?' Seeing Manchester United so bad in that second half and seeing Liverpool so good," Carragher told Sky Sports News.
"We haven't seen that performance I don't think at any time this season. That second-half performance felt like two or three years ago when the opposition just couldn't cope with them, especially at Anfield. When you see Liverpool put in a performance like that it makes you feel, 'How has it been that bad for a lot of the season?'
"When you win by a shock scoreline it almost knocks a bit of the celebration because Manchester United become the story more. Klopp didn't fist pump the Kop as you'd expect because I think of the scoreline and it feels like you're rubbing it in, in some ways.
"It gives Liverpool a huge fillip in terms of getting in the top four. It's really important that in terms of what they could do in the summer financially and maybe a player they could bring in. There's a lot of talk of Jude Bellingham and lots of clubs going for him."
The win over Man United leaves Liverpool fifth in the table, just three points adrift of the final Champions League spot with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
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Liverpool will take on Bournemouth next Saturday as they look to extend that unbeaten run further, before facing Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in succession at the start of April.
"I still can't believe the games Liverpool have lost, the performances they've put in, they've still got a great chance of making the top four," Carragher added.
"There's still a long way to go but Liverpool at Bournemouth next week is a game you expect them to win. After that they've got a really tough week. City, Chelsea, Arsenal determines whether Liverpool make the top four or not."
In addition to being Liverpool's biggest-ever win over Man United, the scoreline is Man United's joint-biggest defeat of all time, and the first time they have lost 7-0 since 1931.
More history was made by Mohamed Salah, whose brace saw him surpass Carragher's former teammate Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 129.
Salah was one of three players to score twice in the game - along with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez - before the departing Roberto Firmino added a seventh late on.
Barney Corkhill
