It was fitting that it was Dominik Szoboszlai who fronted up after Liverpool's latest setback on Sunday. The post-match mixed zone is usually the area reserved for captain Virgil van Dijk but after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, the Hungary skipper emerged.
Having fired in his 11th goal of the season with another eye-catching strike for his growing catalogue as a Liverpool player, Szoboszlai was just as front-footed when speaking to the media to assess why the defending champions were unable to take maximum points against a Spurs side who are languishing perilously close to the Premier League trap door.
One of the key themes of Szoboszlai's post-match chat was what he and his colleagues felt was the absence of support in the closing stages as both teams chased a winner.
Streams of Reds fans could be seen heading for the exit doors as stoppage time approached, clearly frustrated by the paucity of the football served up against a Tottenham team that have become the league's preeminent crisis club in recent months.
Without a win since December and facing what, for them, is the genuinely frightening prospect of demotion, Igor Tudor's men appeared ripe for picking before kick-off on a weekend when both Chelsea and Aston Villa had lost.
What transpired, however, shocked no-one who has been at Anfield all season as Arne Slot's side turned in an ordinary performance devoid of urgency or composure in the final third.
And when Richarlison converted in the 90th minute, there was no sense of surprise on the Anfield terraces.
Given it was the eighth time the Reds have conceded after 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, the late goal was merely confirmation of what many had anticipated as he game wore on without a decisive second.
Szoboszlai, though, conceded that the fans voting with their feet in the final seconds does little to inspire confidence within the playing staff.
“I think it should be normal that in hard times we stick together more because that’s what we need, we need each other," he said.
"We want to make them happy, it’s not that we do it on purpose. We want to make ourselves happy, make all the Liverpool supporters happy, but we need them.
"Last year it was for sure enjoyable to watch all the games but this year maybe it’s not that enjoyable, for sure, I can imagine. But still support us also when we are in difficult times.
“Of course. But as I said they can be angry but stick with us because we are a family, we need you guys. We would like to make them happy so just stay together.
"For sure. I don’t say they have no right to leave the stadium, they can leave if they want. We need them and they should know this. We are one less without them."
The boos from those who stayed around at Anfield further emphasised the current mood among the fanbase right now, as the champions continue to limp towards Champions League qualification.
To say Wednesday's return of the Champions League allows the players to forget about the domestic struggles this season, if only for the night, is perhaps inaccurate, however.
A big European night at Anfield might only reinforce the importance of qualifying for the continent's most lucrative and high-profile competition and a rescue act is being demanded after last Tuesday evening's first-leg loss in Istanbul.
Szoboszlai might find his plea to the fans strikes the right note, however, as Liverpool get set to open their doors to their own match-goers after UEFA's banning of Galatasaray followers.
There will be no travelling contingent for the last-16 second leg after reports of violence in Turin in the previous round against Juventus, and Liverpool confirmed last week the away end will be used to house more homer fans as a result.
It raises the prospect of Anfield playing host to one of its biggest ever home crowds given the current capacity now stands at over 60,000.
And on a night when a red-hot atmosphere will be imperative, Szoboszlai and his colleagues may find their calls are heeded.
After that, the onus is on them to deliver on the pitch once they are granted that support. Anfield, a little more than usual on Wednesday night, will be expectant as a result.
