Keïta admitted to “crying inside” when Steven Gerrard presented him with the No 8 jersey

Naby Keïta would settle down in front of the television, lie back and think of England. It was a routine he would adopt at least once a week, sometimes more.

Training at RB Leipzig had concluded for the day and, while his club-mates set about relaxing, the midfielder headed straight home to forensically dissect another 90 minutes of footage from the Premier League, just as a scout pores over an upcoming opponent to pinpoint their strengths and expose their weaknesses.

Except Keïta was doing it over the team he would be joining.

A move to Anfield had been agreed in August 2017 for the following summer and, as he played out time in the Bundesliga, he was determined to ensure his adaptation to new surroundings