Lallana was recalling Klopp’s promise before the Capital One Cup Final that it would be ‘the first of many’ when the manager appeared from behind a glass wall at Melwood’s training ground.

Klopp was in mischievous mood, patrolling the corridor, poking his nose against the partition suspiciously peering and pondering what his midfielder was saying.

The manager moved out of sight and Lallana continued. Within a few minutes, Klopp reappeared across the other side of the room, spotted through the French doors separating the office where this interview is taking place from the veranda.

He intervened, ordering a journalist to let him in.

“Ask him if he knows when Spurs start pre-season training.”

Klopp said, roaring with laughter.

“I asked him and he knew. He said it was July 1!”

Lallana protested he didn’t realise the question – asked on the day he’d been linked with a reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino - was a joke.