It was akin to a seasoned band getting back together to rehearse after a lengthy hiatus.
The personnel were largely in place, the instruments primed, the songbook fully memorised. But there were obvious signs of beats being missed and matters out of tune before something approaching a groove was hit on occasionally.
Such was the case for Liverpool against Ajax on Tuesday as they took the first step on the road to Champions League redemption and dragging their inconsistent campaign back on track.
