While Liverpool's performance at Old Trafford yesterday was an improvement on what they have produced in recent weeks, it did highlight what has become the main issue with this team.
The problems at centre back have tended to manifest a little bit further up the pitch in recent times. The move of Fabinho, and at times Jordan Henderson, to centre back has hampered their pressing ability in midfield, while Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold no longer have the attacking freedoms they did when Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were in the team.
The issue yesterday was more straightforward. Rhys Williams, a 19-year old who was on loan in non-league football yesterday, looked well out his depth trying to contain an attack boasting no shortage of talent.
He was directly at fault for the Marcus Rashford goal and was generally well off the pace for the whole contest.
While Liverpool fans may not necessarily lament the end of their FA Cup run, forcing the likes of Williams or Nat Phillips to play extended minutes in the Premier League or Champions League over the second half of the season presents an altogether bigger problem.
Jurgen Klopp has hinted that no signings will be brought in this month, with the club's owners hesitant to spend due to lost earnings relating to the coronavirus pandemic. This stance could have big repercussions over the remainder of the campaign, but it appears they are quietly looking at some short-term options in the position.
David Ornstein of The Athletic is reporting that Liverpool made an enquiry for Sokratis Papastathopoulos last week, with the defender recently released from his contract at Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp is familiar with the Greece international, having signed him for Borussia Dortmund in 2013. However, it is thought that the move did not advance beyond those initial conversations. The player now looks set to move to Olympiacos.
While this move may not go any further, it does display Liverpool's willingness to bring in a short-term solution at centre back this month. That is a change from their recent transfer policy, where the club were always willing to wait for the correct player as opposed to going for lesser targets.
It appears the owners may be well aware that their season is in danger of tailing off if no moves are made.
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