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Liverpool’s title defence evaporated long before their makeshift backline suffered its latest setback with Jordan Henderson’s injury… but with Ozan Kabak not settling and Ben Davies yet to play, now even their top-four hopes are fading fast

The sight of captain Jordan Henderson clutching his leg in agony, grimacing face pressed into the Anfield turf during the Merseyside derby, came as little shock to Liverpool fans.

Many are simply numb to it now. This kind of thing has become expected in the cruelest of seasons.

Jurgen Klopp's side have had an injury-ravaged campaign like no other. Liverpool's entire defensive line has been torn apart, causing midfielders to play emergency stopgap roles with the rest of the team struggling bitterly with the knock-on effect.

Indeed, the reigning champions who so ruthlessly swept away the entire division last season have seen their title defence come to a brutal end following a miserable string of results since the start of the calendar year.