Liverpool looked like the old Liverpool in hitting Leeds for six on Monday.

And unlike the hammering of Manchester United, the goals were not the only reasons to believe they can get back their mojo.

As much as fans celebrated the seven strikes against their eternal rivals, the result flattered only to deceive.

A barren run followed and then came two humiliating exits: from the Champions League and the race to sign Jude Bellingham.

It was hard to know which hurt more: accepting that they’ve fallen off a cliff since last season or their inability to compete with the big boys in the transfer market.

From quad-chasing European royalty they’d become commoners far from sure they’ll even be playing on the continent next season.

But suddenly a few dark clouds have lifted and there’s a more positive outlook.

After a period when things seemed to be getting him down, Jurgen Klopp has regained his enthusiasm.

Crucially, he’s resumed his partnership with Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon who has returned to day-to-day involvement behind the scenes.

This dynamic duo really runs the club.

On the field, the walking wounded and forgotten men are easing their way back.

Luis Diaz is back after six months of being sorely missed. His instant impact in the previous January helped the club sustain its push for four trophies.

Diogo Jota has rediscovered his fitness, confidence and form. He’s not Sadio Mane but an underrated cog in the front three.

Curtis Jones, who almost disappeared with constant niggles, is at last getting a chance to show he can cut it at top level.

But probably the most intriguing development of all is a tactical tweak that we thought would never happen: the penny may have finally dropped on how to get the best out of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Plucked from the under-18 side where he played in midfield six years ago, he had been asked to play right-back.

Opinions differ on how he’s done, but opponents still target him as he’s not a natural defender.

But his assists, dead balls and laser-like right foot have convinced Klopp that he compensates for the occasional defensive faux-pas.

However, the clamour to put him back into midfield has been growing and Klopp has finally compromised – by moving him into central midfield mid-game.

His 152 touches against Leeds told its own story. There were two marvellous assists plus a delicate ‘nine-iron’ chip that led to a goal that was ruled out.

Between them, Alexander-Arnold and Jones, two local boys, could save the club a lot of money by adding depth to midfield in what remains of the season.

And even the perennially crocked Thiago has come back.

On top of this, the injury plague that has hampered the side over recent seasons is to be tackled with the appointment of a new doctor.

Oh, and the fixture list is looking kind. Next up are Nottingham Forest at Anfield, West Ham away and four of the last six games are at home.

It’s some mood change from a couple of weeks ago when Liverpool decided they’d have to miss out on a generational talent they’d coveted for years.

Long seen as the new Steven Gerrard, 19-year-old Bellingham’s World Cup displays sent his price soaring from the expected £80m to the £130m now being mentioned – and out of Liverpool’s reach.

The Borussia Dortmund skipper was seen as the perfect fulcrum around which Klopp could reconstruct his midfield.

To accept that he’ll eventually go to richer rivals (and come back to haunt for a decade) was a bitter reality check.

But once the rationale was explained, Klopp was comfortable with it and so were a few more fans.

Bellingham alone is not enough for the rebuild and if £130m had been spent on him, there would be precious little left for other signings.

In recent years, the recruitment has been more successful with the £30m to £40m signings than the top-end ones.

Only Virgil van Dijk and Alisson have really succeeded in the £50m plus bracket, with Darwin Nunez, at £65m rising to £84m, being a work very much in progress.

Gakpo? Perhaps they thought United, with their Dutch connections, would buy him so jumped in first.

The Manes, Diazes, Jotas, Mo Salahs, Fabinhos, Bobby Firminos and Ibou Konates of this world offer so much better value and are all players Klopp has improved.

Diaz was electrifying when he joined and could inspire another late-season surge.

Diaz and Jota claimed a sizeable junk of the 162 missed playing days Liverpool experienced up to March – way above any other club.

The mystery of Liverpool’s injuries has perplexed teams of medics and physios for years, having robbed the club of even greater glories during its heyday.

A new man in charge may just be able to point his finger at the problem.

Otherwise, Liverpool have to go back to being their old selves and a sign they’re doing just that comes with interest in Dutch midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch.

The 20-year-old has already failed to make the leap up from Eredivisie football to Bayern Munich where he’s only made one start.

But others whose first big move wasn’t a roaring success include Firmino, Mane and Salah.

Liverpool are operating differently but have won everything while doing so: they just have to try and do it again.

Klopp believes they can.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.