Liverpool’s players were keen to push a shy Takumi Minamino forward during their Wembley celebrations at the weekend.
This time, though, the Japanese needed no encouragement in making the most of his moment in the spotlight.
Jurgen Klopp has long insisted his Liverpool are about more than his regular starters, the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea - and the ongoing quest for a quadruple - underlining the strength in depth unparalleled in the club’s history.
And Minamino perhaps best encapsulates the role of the squad player.
The Japan international has seen his opportunities limited to just 86 minutes in the Premier League this season over 10 substitute appearances.
AS IT HAPPENED: Liverpool beat Norwich to advance to FA Cup quarter-finals
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings as Takumi Minamino and James Milner impress vs Norwich
But whenever he has been called upon, Minamino has ensured he has been in the right shape and frame of mind to deliver.
That was shown here as two goals – and good goals at that – ensured Liverpool ultimately saw off the challenge of a plucky Norwich City in their FA Cup fifth round clash at Anfield.
It moved Minamino on to nine for the season. And with an assist to boot, the forward is managing a goal contribution on average every 89 minutes. Impressive stuff.
“He just carries on,” said an appreciative James Milner after the game. “You can rely on him.”
And while it’s not quite Luis Suarez levels of destruction, Minamino just loves facing the Canaries.
For the second time this campaign, he scored twice against Norwich having bagged a brace in the Carabao Cup win at Carrow Road in September.
Leave your own LFC ratings below
Minamino did echo Suarez in one aspect by becoming only the third Liverpool player to score against the same side in the two domestic cup competitions in a season, the Uruguayan having done so against Stoke City in 2011/12 after Kenny Dalglish did similar against Chelsea in 1977/78.
Playing on the right of a reshaped forward line with Divock Origi down the middle and Diogo Jota on the left, Minamino grasped his chance with arguably his best performance for the club.
The Japanese will be the first to acknowledge he is well down the forward pecking order, as reminded by the arrival of Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane from the bench late on. Mohamed Salah was given a rare evening off.
Minamino, however, can’t do much more. And, not for the first time this season, he has proven the lucky cup charm for Klopp.
