"I wasn't worried about everyone putting in effort today because it's Liverpool. Everybody will try to do their best, but I will probably be more worried about Southampton after this performance, thinking it's already good enough because it's not and it will be a really tough one again."

A truly damning indictment of this Manchester United team made by their captain.

Bruno Fernandes wasn't alone in sharing his frustration following the draw with Liverpool. The immediate disappointment no doubt centred around Harry Maguire's botched late effort that should have delivered all three points. Given time to reflect on the game, anyone of a United persuasion would be pleased with their team's efforts, but then comes the inevitable question: why can't they play like that every week?

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Football is a simple game and yet it's perhaps even too simplistic to ask a question like that. There are always going to be off days and games where the opposition are simply better than you. But this is a side that has been beaten 3-0 at home to Bournemouth and lost 2-0 to relegation battlers Wolves in the past few weeks, results sandwiched by a win away at the champions of England and a draw away to a side who have won 23 of 28 games in all competitions this season.

Erik ten Hag's reign as United manager was only extended due to an outlier of a performance in the FA Cup back in May. Less than three weeks before the win over Manchester City at Wembley United had been battered 4-0 by Crystal Palace.

This is becoming far too regular an occurrence for Manchester United. And even the players have noticed it.

For the captain of United to come out and admit he wasn't worried about the effort levels his team would show during their trip to Anfield but will "probably be more worried about Southampton" is pretty shocking.

Losing to better opposition is part and parcel of being a sportsman. But Fernandes isn't worried his side will be beaten by a Southampton team better than United, he's worried about the effort his teammates will put in.

That's a huge concern and something Amorim needs to address.