It is perhaps a quirk of bigtime sports that we do not refer to the best team or teams with the best record in a league as the “team nobody wants to face in the playoffs.” That would be too obvious, right?

Pennant Questions Liverpool Identity After Wolves SetbackLiverpool’s difficult campaign suffered another damaging moment when Wolves snatched a dramatic late victory, prompting strong criticism

But the very fact that people are daring to ask the question is in itself extraordinary, given that until a week ago, Rob Edwards’ side were still in with a shot of being the worst team in Premier League history.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot began the week by saying he found most Premier League games no longer a joy to watch - and had little to enjoy as he described defeat at Wolves as the "same old story".