Liverpool signed off ahead of the World Cup break with a relatively comfortable victory over Southampton on Saturday.
Roberto Firmino scored once and Darwin Nunez twice during the first half as the Reds did enough to win 3-1 against the Saints. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side have earned four successive victories for the first time this season.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield.
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Salah unimpressed
Liverpool made somewhat hard work of it during the second half as they visibly eased off the gas having ended up dominating proceedings before the break.
But matters could have been made a little easier had Mohamed Salah been awarded a penalty when he appeared to be tugged back by Armel Bella-Kotchap in the area shortly after the hour.
Salah was left fuming towards anyone who was willing to listen while Virgil van Dijk had strong words with the referee. Whistle-blower Simon Hooper and his VAR chums, though, were having none of it.
Alisson acknowledged
With his freshly-shaven face, it required a double-take to ensure it really was Alisson Becker warming up with his team-mates before the game.
There was, though, no mistaking the goalkeeper during a second-half performance in which a trio of saves ensured Liverpool could see the game out.
And his efforts were acknowledged after the final whistle when, as he trotted back to the Anfield Road end, he was given a rousing reception by the home fans, with the rest of the stadium soon chanting his name.
Klopp brews up
There was, of course, no Jurgen Klopp on the touchline for Liverpool on Saturday, the Reds boss serving a one-match ban following his red card against Manchester City last month.
Klopp was instead up in the Main Stand sat watching the game in front of a hospitality lounge, communicating with Vitor Matos on the bench throughout the game.
And the added comfort meant he was spotted all smiles sipping on a hot beverage after Firmino's opener. Well, if it's good enough for Carlo Ancelotti...
Through the wind and, er, wind
Jurgen Klopp refers to is as the "enemy of football". And the infamous Anfield wind also proved troublesome for those in the stands on Saturday.
Regular matchgoers will be aware of a huge banner that travels across the Kop - and sometimes Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand - before kick-off. But that journey was almost taken out of the hands of supporters when a huge breeze got underneath the banner and threatened to blow it out of control.
Fortunately, some strong hands ensured it wasn't lost. Has a kick-off ever been delayed by an escaped banner on the loose?
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