(CNN)Liverpool's torrid season went from bad to worse on Tuesday as Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Though the last-16 tie is only halfway done, even the most optimistic of Liverpool fans will find it hard to believe this struggling team can win by a four-goal margin at the Santiago Bernabéu in three weeks' time.
But it was a night that started so well for Liverpool.
Coming into this match off back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since December, Liverpool raced into an early two-goal lead thanks to Darwin Núñez's sublime flick and an embarrassing error from Thibaut Courtois that allowed Mo Salah to pounce.
However, things promptly fell apart -- as they have done on numerous occasions already this season.
Two goals from Vinícius Jr. before half time -- the first a brilliant finish into the bottom corner and the second thanks to a calamitous error from Alisson -- turned the game on its head.