The Carabao won't do it. FA Cup is marginal. I think if we finished 2nd in the league but behind Liverpool that would be treated as a crisis. 2nd behind City is more respectable. As would be signing a marquee striker etc.
Still think in Nov we are too early. Liverpool's performance today in winning was similar to when City and Arsenal were winning games earlier in the season when you could tell it wasn't all kosher behind the scenes. Eventually you do that against a Bournemouth or a Spurs and you get your pants pulled down and same will happen to them unless they can bring their performances up. They do have an ability to score from all over the pitch though