It prompted almost the biggest cheer of the afternoon.
The 240th Merseyside derby was drifting towards the final whistle when Everton attempted one last show of resistance, Richarlison firing a shot from the edge of the area at Alisson Becker.
The Liverpool goalkeeper clutched the ball safely to his chest – then collapsed in a heap inside his penalty area.
Out of context, it meant little. But there was good reason for the raucous response from the Reds supporters who had seen their side maintain their Premier League title challenge while edging their neighbours ever nearer the increasingly real threat of relegation.
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Everton had made the short journey across Stanley Park with a clear game-plan. Unable to match Liverpool in terms of talent – and few if any teams can do that at present – their intention was to spoil, niggle, time-waste, niggle, spoil, dig in, agitate the opposition and the crowd, then niggle and spoil some more.
It was straight off the first page of the Diego Simeone handbook of what, in family-friend terms, is good old fashioned skulduggery. It’s usually called something different, though.
And for about an hour, it had worked, Richarlison the chief wind-up merchant while ably assisted by the otherwise dangerous Anthony Gordon and pantomime villain Jordan Pickford, whose willingness to go to ground at every touch of the ball was later aped to such comic effect by Alisson.
Referee Stuart Attwell didn’t help matters with a performance that refused to acknowledge the moments Everton went over a line they were well within their rights to straddle.
Liverpool huffed and puffed while rarely looking like blowing the visitors’ sturdy defensive house down, the home side taking somewhat too much to heart Jurgen Klopp’s pre-match declaration of wanting the neighbours to stay in the Premier League.
Ultimately, though, it was the decision of the Reds boss to bring on Luis Diaz and derby specialist Divock Origi on the hour that injected fresh energy into Liverpool’s performance, Andy Robertson netting the opener two minutes later. The home side didn’t look back.
Liverpool will overcome more talented opposition between now and the end of the season. This, though, was a test of their character and composure. Clearly, whatever question is thrown at Klopp’s side right now, they keep finding the answer.
