Wilson was Derby’s hero at Old Trafford with a stunning free kick and a successful penalty in the shootout

In contrast to the trajectory of Harry Wilson’s stunning knuckleball free-kick which veered one way, and then the other, to bamboozle the Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero, Liverpool’s intended path for the youngster is unlikely to deviate off course.

Wilson’s sprinkling of stardust in Derby County’s Carabao Cup success over United on Tuesday surprised no one at Anfield where faith in the 21-year-old’s talents is unflinching.

Not simply in terms of the three-year development plan they have already mapped out for Wilson, but by virtue of the fact that in the first six months of this year he signed not one but two new contracts to secure his future until 2023.

A new deal was penned before he joined Hull City on loan last January