Liverpool travel to Watford on Monday Night Football with a top-four finish still in sight, an achievement that would represent significant progress this season under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager on October 8, 2015 with the Reds sitting 10th in the table after winning just three of their opening eight Premier League games.
The German went on to lead Liverpool to an eighth-placed finish last season, while he also guided the club to the final of the League Cup and the Europa League.
This campaign, however, the former Borussia Dortmund coach been able to make his own signings, and a full pre-season to work with his squad.
So as Klopp prepares to take his side to Vicarage Road, the scene of a shambolic 3-0 defeat in December 2015, we look at where Liverpool have improved this season, and what areas they still need to work on before they can seriously challenge for the title…
Points mean progress
If Liverpool win their four remaining league matches, starting at Watford tonight, they will finish with a total of 78 points, a haul they have only bettered on four occasions in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Reds are collecting on average 1.9 points per game under Klopp this season compared to the 1.6 they won in the last campaign.
Top-six record
As part of that improved form in the league this season, Klopp's team have bettered their remarkable record from the previous campaign against the Premier League's current top six.
Last time out under the German, the Reds only lost to Manchester United, while this season they are unbeaten in 10 league meetings against their fellow Champions League-chasing rivals, the only side to do that.
Consistency
Liverpool have been far more consistent in the league this season than last under Klopp.
Apart from an early defeat at Burnley, the Reds went unbeaten until going down 4-3 at Bournemouth in December.
But while Klopp's side did endure a lean start to 2017, including damaging reverses to struggling Swansea City and Hull City, they did then recover to get their top-four hopes back on track.
In stark contrast, last season the Reds went from winning at Chelsea and Man City one week, to being humbled at eventually relegated Newcastle United and Watford the next as the players tried to acclimatise to the demands of their new manager.
Knowing his best XI
There is no doubt that when Klopp has a fully-fit squad to pick from, he knows what his best line-up is.
The Reds boss has decided who his No 1 goalkeeper is and following Joel Matip's summer arrival and James Milner's conversion to left-back, Liverpool's back five has a far more settled look to it.
Meanwhile, the £34m purchase of Southampton forward Sadio Mane last June has also seen Klopp able to select a devastating attacking front six - when all available.
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Sky News
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