It was not simply what Steven Gerrard said but, rather, the manner in which he said it. The question, centring on whether he had discerned a flimsier side to academy football in his first few months as a coach, was still being delivered, yet he felt compelled to interrupt. In that instant, he offered up the first real insight into his managerial philosophy.

The Liverpool Under-18 players will not be encouraged to indulge in rainbow flicks, attempt nutmegs or bamboozle opponents with a blur of step-overs next season. Instead, it will be a case of rolling up their sleeves, working feverishly and delivering match-defining moments through heart and graft, as forces of nature, much as Gerrard did in his playing days.

“My teams will be