The clock ticked down, a ball dropped from the sky and Dominik Szoboszlai nonchalantly trapped it in front of The Kop on Liverpool’s opening night of the season.
The Hungary international was in the right place, allowing Mohamed Salah to cross a ball that would allow Federico Chiesa to finish and help Liverpool past an impressive Bournemouth at the death.
In their next fixture, again at the death, Szoboszlai stepped over a ball in the Newcastle penalty area, his dummy affording Rio Ngumoha the time to put his name up in lights and earn the Reds an away win against 10 men.
Six days later, Szoboszlai pinged a free-kick past David Raya – again in front of The Kop – to make it nine points from nine and add to his importance early in the campaign.
And so it has gone on, for the midfielder at least. For while Liverpool have been sporadically good and largely miserable ever since, Szoboszlai has gone on to deliver his best season at the club.
In all competitions, he now stands on 13 goals and 10 assists – impressive numbers for a player who managed eight goals last term and seven the time before.
Perhaps more impressive is the fact that Szoboszlai’s output means he is the first Liverpool midfielder to have both 10 or more goals and assists in a season since a certain Steven Gerrard (14 goals, 14 assists) in 2013-14.
Comparisons have been made between club-legend Gerrard and Szoboszlai, helped in no small way by the Hungarian’s tendency to cover ground at will, with an all-action style to boot. His ability to switch positions also brings with it a Gerrard-like quality and it should be remembered that, for many, when the season started Szoboszlai was the likely candidate to miss out in the Reds’ midfield to make way for Florian Wirtz.
He has dug in and seemingly used such doubt as fuel. Some fans now ponder where they would be without him.
Seasoned Kopites will explain the former Leipzig midfielder has many roads to conquer before he can ever be considered in the same universe as local-hero Gerrard.
But, much like Gerrard, he has shown the strength of character and ability to have immense influence in a side that is up against it.
To deliver when others are floundering is no small feat.
One wonders how Szoboszlai – now entering his prime at 25 – might prosper in a side playing with more zest and efficiency.
In a season that has flattered to deceive, his impact at least offers something to take forward.