The refrain echoing from the touchline on one of the pitches at the rear of Liverpool’s academy was familiar. “He’s gone,” bellowed a voice. “Trent’s quit. Give Bobby the ball. Get at Trent, get at him.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold was being put through the wringer again. His team-mate Bobby Adekanye was relishing a role which saw him cast as a sparring partner. The cutting instructions were being delivered by Neil Critchley, then the under-18s coach, and the academy director Alex Inglethorpe.

The same scenario had been played out during the previous day’s session. And the day before that.

The physical and technical gifts of the right back, 20, who is expected to start in the Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid next Saturday, always