But United played with the same kind of openness as Liverpool today, which is what allowed Liverpool in (alongside some admittedly dreadful defending). Any team who shuts the gates against Liverpool, i.e. plays a very deep defensive/midfield line and plays the numbers game - whilst keeping one relatively pacey player near the half-way line for an outball - and they're often screwed. Especially away from home.
That's not Bournemouth having great mentality - that's O'Neil setting them up just right, and Klopp setting up Liverpool to pile everyone forward and rely entirely on a strike force that just isn't performing (with the exception of the United game, which was clearly a one-off).
The number of people I've heard proclaiming Liverpool are favourites for 4th place because of one freak result has blown my mind this week.
The main problem Liverpool seem to have is as you stated, teams have learnt about them and play very deep and just frustrate them knowing that against them, they will have a couple of chances as defensive Liverpool are not the best and Virgil seems to be a shadow of the player he was a couple of seasons ago when he was injured against Everton.
I also think Mane was an absolute massive loss as they used to have two absolute world class players on the wings where if one was ineffective the other was on fire.
Now Liverpool just seem to have Salah and errrr.... Salah.
Nunez occasionally looks half decent, but the majority of the time he is a complete headless chicken and just head down and run without having a clue what to do.
Liverpool just need investment which is something I don't think Klopp will get in the summer, and if they miss out on Champions League then they may struggle to get their top targets.
Personally I think they will get the top 4, as for as inconsistent as they are these days Spurs are absolutely no better.
I love Klopp and would not like him to leave the Premier League, but his style needs a certain player and would be surprised if the Liverpool board got rid.
When he leaves he will leave with him quitting, as can tell he is kind of frustrated when there are teams around him who seem to spend an absolute shit ton of cash and have absolutely no repercussions from financially fair play - and yes I know Man City are being investigated but they will get out of it by finding every loophole possible and just pay a fine, like they did with UEFA.