As the crowd filtered out of Prenton Park on Sunday afternoon following Liverpool's decisive victory over Reading, there was only one name on everybody's lips.
January signing Fuka Nagano, while absent from the scoresheet, had certainly captured the imagination of the home faithful on her WSL debut. The Japan international was brought in from American side North Carolina Courage to bolster Liverpool's midfield ranks ahead of a season-defining run of games for the Reds.
But while Matt Beard appears to be easing fellow January recruits Miri Taylor and Sofie Lundgaard into first team action, the same certainly can't be said for Nagano, who had already impressed for her new club in both domestic cups before taking to the field against Reading.
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"Fuka coming in has helped," Beard said after his side's clash with the Royals. "She’s a diamond on the ball and even off the ball.
"She’s surprisingly quick as well. She sees things that other people don’t see so as this team evolves and as she settles in - and she’s settled in fantastically by the way - we’re only going to get better."
It was high praise indeed for the 23-year-old, whose eye-catching displays have already afforded her with the highest honour the footballing gods can bestow: a song from the Liverpool fans (to the tune of 'Tomorrow' from Annie). On Sunday, Nagano had 57 touches, completed nine out of her ten passes in the final third and won possession 14 times.
The numbers speak of a solid performance in the middle of the park but Nagano's first appearances in a Red shirt indicate that her impact on Matt Beard's side could prove even more significant than these neatly distilled football metrics would suggest.
In the men's game, the eye-watering transfer fee already commanded by Enzo Fernandez - and the similar figures mooted for the likes of Moises Caicedo and Jude Bellingham - demonstrate just how coveted high-quality midfield players are, particularly those capable of playing in a deeper-lying playmaker role. While, of course, there is a huge disparity between the financial value of players in the men's and women's game, the impact such players can make on a side is no less consequential.
"I’m a type of player who creates scoring chances with passes from the midfield,” Nagano said in her first interview after arriving on Merseyside. “As toughness is a must in this league, I want to adapt to the strength and show the fans what I’m capable of."
If the 'oohs' and 'aahs' ringing around Prenton Park after Nagano's every touch are anything to go by, it seems the fans are already pretty convinced of the midfielder's capabilites. And perhaps it should come as little surprise that the 23-year-old has already assimilated so well into Liverpool's midfield, considering her international pedigree.
In 2016, Nagano was named Asian Young Footballer of the Year; an award previously won by Arsenal duo Caitlin Foord and Mana Iwabuchi. Two years later, the midfielder was part of Japan's victorious team in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France - scoring a goal in the final in a 3-1 win over Spain - before going on to earn more than 30 caps for the senior side.
While Nagano was unable to crown her impressive WSL debut with either a goal or an assist, her composure on the ball and ability to pick a pass played no small part in helping Liverpool to a vital three points. And it is no coincidence that both of her midfield partners got on the scoresheet on Sunday - both Missy Bo Kearns and Ceri Holland were given a greater license to get forward thanks to Nagano's efficacy in the holding role.
"She's allowed us to play a bit further up the pitch and she's absolutely fantastic," Holland said, reflecting on Nagano's display against Reading.
"I think she's world class, seeing her in training every day. I think she's really added to that midfield and been a world class addition to the team."
Holland's assessment of Nagano is a huge vote of confidence in her new teammate. And while only time will tell if Nagano is worthy of residing in the "world-class" bracket, Liverpool's new midfield diamond has certainly got off to a very bright start.
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