The first place to start is the historical aspect. When Liverpool’s team sheet was published, the eyes were drawn to the number 67 and the name of Harvey Elliott.
At 18 years and 318 days, Elliott had usurped Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s youngest starter in the Champions League. It is a nice little statistic, one that ensured this tussle with Inter Milan would always have a significant footnote for the club.
There was to it, though, than facts and figures. Jurgen Klopp’s decision to put Elliott into his midfield for the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie was the ultimate show of faith from a manager; most boys his age use school nights to prepare for A levels; here he was running out at the San Siro.