Sadio Mané is allowing the questions to bounce off him rather like the defenders who find it impossible to shrug him off the ball. Suddenly, prompted by reminders of Liverpool’s recent victories over Arsenal and Chelsea, there is a turn of pace and shot fired with perfect execution. “We are going to beat Manchester United,” he says.

So mild-mannered and deliberate has he been with his words in the previous 15 minutes – and so rare is it to hear such a pre-match declaration from any player – clarification is sought. “You really think that?”

“Of course. We all believe it. We are going to make it,” he insists.