Then, for every sign of progress signalled by an impressive result against one of their top-six rivals, there was the frustration of a costly slip against a side whose focus was trained on the other end of the table.

It was an annoying habit that almost cost the Reds a top-four slot.

But this season things have been different and the manager believes his side’s dismantling of Brighton, coming after Wednesday’s win at Stoke, shows the progress of his side.

Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah repeatedly carved open the home defence, with Firmino scoring twice, Coutinho converting a free-kick and forcing Lewis Dunk’s own-goal and Salah cast in the role of provider.

“They are all different, they are all good. I really like these players – that’s why they are here,” said Klopp. 

“I don’t like it too much after a game like this to be so over the moon. Roberto has scored twice but what he did around these goals, that’s what excites me most. 

“In all contacts, pretty much, he won the ball. Being here, being annoying, a little toe – and then the boys go. All the rest around, we need to get used to it.

“Last year, a few people said we didn’t have a plan against bus-parking teams – now we score five, we score three, we do things like this. It’s development.”

The stats make impressive reading, with Klopp’s side now having scored 55 goals in all competitions – 25 in the last eight games alone.

Emre Can headed the opening goal, with Firmino adding a second. Glenn Murray had a chance to bring Brighton back into it but Simon Mignolet’s 48th-minute save from the striker proved to be an assist for Firmino’s second.

Murray did convert a 51st-minute penalty but Coutinho then wrapped things up with an 87th minute free-kick before Dunk diverted the Brazilian’s 88th-minute shot into his own net.

For Mignolet, the sight of three forwards running riot is a familiar one but the striker insists this trio is different to the one spearheaded by Luis Suarez. 

He said: “I played here when Luis Suarez was here together with Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling and they were banging the goals in.

“So Liverpool always has that kind of talent up front, prolific goalscorers and strikers who can make the difference.

“This group is different of course. Luis was more like a real goalscorer waiting for his chance where now we have players who play together creating the chances and sharing the goals.

“The opponent can’t really set up to defend one player, they have to defend a few boys now and because of that they give each other the space they need. 

“And the forwards are as important in defence as they are in attack. They are the first ones to press up high and we then have to follow as a team.” 

Brighton manager Chris Hughton admits his side must lift themselves up after their first heavy defeat of the campaign. 

He said: “If their best players turn up, it is difficult to do anything about it. We made too many mistakes and our level of passing wasn’t at the normal standard.

“It will be a tough few days. We’ve had a good few weekends when there is that nice feel after a win or a draw, we’ve lost this season but this is our first big one.”