When Thiago went down injured in the warm-up before the Carabao Cup final, we got confirmation of something many have suspected.
It was Harvey Elliott, rather than Curtis Jones, who took the vacant spot on the bench as Naby Keita stepped into the starting XI - a further indication that the former Fulham man has overtaken his colleague in the midfield pecking order.
Jones had featured in four of the previous five games in the competition during Elliott's long injury lay-off, only missing the quarter-final against Leicester City after struggling with injury and illness himself ahead of the December meeting, but his omission from the squad for the final may well worry the 21-year-old.
However, an FA Cup clash against Norwich City can give the academy talent a chance to immediately show Klopp what he can offer for the remainder of a season in which the Reds are still fighting for three more trophies to add to their cabinet.
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Back in January, Klopp admitted he had needed to show Jones some tough love in an effort to get the midfielder back to his best.
"I had a long talk last week with Curtis, because I love the boy and I love the potential he has," the manager said.
“But we have to now really make the next steps and make sure that he fulfils the potential he has on the pitch.
“You have these kinds of conversations when you are not 100 percent happy with the moment.
“He’s young – very young – but from what I see his potential is just incredible. So we have to find a way to show that much more often.
Klopp pointed to the challenges faced by the young midfielder this season, with an eye injury and a bout of Covid keeping Jones out of action for longer than he's used to.
The month-long absence, coupled with the increased competition for places brought about by a squad which has kept itself fitter compared to last season, means it feels as though he has gone backwards just by standing still.
The situation has only been exacerbated by Elliott's progress this term.
With the 18-year-old putting in impressive performances both before and after his absence with a dislocated ankle, it is becoming difficult for Jones to hide behind his own youth and inexperience.
There have been moments from Jones this season, but he hasn't reached the level his trajectory had seemed to point to last season as he racked up minutes and showed his maturity on the ball.
This may explain Klopp's frustration: he knows as well as anyone else that the midfielder is more than good enough to start in this Liverpool team when he's at his best, but that top gear is something which hasn't quite been visible enough this time around.
Still, the FA Cup has been a happy hunting ground before and it can be one again.
It's the competition where Jones made his senior Liverpool debut, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2019, and it's where he announced himself with a stunning winner 12 months later as a youthful Reds side knocked Everton out of the competition.
"He can't wait to play in the first team, and he will be a Liverpool player if nothing strange happens, 100 per cent," Klopp said at the time, describing Jones as an "unbelievable player" as he backed him to be a big part of the club's next generation.
""I'm not surprised that he scores this type of goal. Sometimes we forget as well in training he is only 18."
Even after that goal, though, Jones' focus was directed at finding a way to feature more.
"At times it’s frustrating thinking you might get a chance but then having to sit on the bench and watch," he said.
"We proved that we’re learning every day and trying to push for a place in the team."
At the time, it felt like an encouraging show of ambition, but more time on the sidelines this term might leave some wondering whether Jones still has some growing to do when it comes to responding to being left out.
Now, though, it's time for him to show he knows the best response to being in and out of the team is to deliver on the chances you do get.
Having just turned 21, he has no need to rush things, as much as he might be tempted to do so.
