And once the game kicked off, Liverpool simply couldn’t match the Magpies’ desire and intensity. All over the field, Liverpool looked like it was losing its battles. Sandro Tonali and Joelinton’s physicality was too much to handle and Guimaraes himself added steel as well as silk and flair.

Liverpool went into last year's showpiece without 11 first-team stars including Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez, before Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off after 30 minutes. Wataru Endo added to the woes, post-match, by leaving Wembley on crutches and in a protective boot.