A part of Chris Wood was surely wondering why he was even making the effort.
As the Newcastle United substitute raced on to a throughball from Allan Saint-Maximin in the second half on Saturday, he no doubt had two thoughts going through his head: "Am I onside? And will I be able to get past Alisson Becker?"
The answer, as it has so often transpired this season, was negative on both counts, the Liverpool defence - marshalled by Virgil van Dijk - stepping up at the right moment to render Wood's run meaningless. And even when the striker did reach as far as Alisson, he found it impossible to find a way past the Reds goalkeeper, his eventual shot smothered before the flag was belatedly thrust into the air by the assistant referee.
