There can't be many clubs who have started a major cup final by seeing an image of one of their most important payers in floods of tears on the side of the pitch.
And then even fewer still who went on to win it.
But that was the scenario Liverpool found themselves in 10 days ago when Thiago Alcantara's hamstring injury sustained in the warm-up forced him out of the match against Chelsea, brought Naby Keita in and left the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich man in bits on the bench, where he was comforted by Alisson.
It was only the Carabao Cup, you might think, but the emotion was genuine.
This is a player who, between 2009 and 2020 won four La Liga titles and seven Bundesligas, as well as a couple of Champions Leagues too, but the chance to win English football's third most prestigious competition being taken away from him had left him emotional.
It was about more than that though, of course.
Thiago had been a growing influence on the Liverpool side in the weeks building up to Wembley, with his influence much more pronounced than perhaps many had noticed. The midfield had come to play to his tune, and the control he was exerting over matches was becoming critical to the side's fortunes.
This was now the chance for him to play a key role in what would be a first trophy success since his arrival in 2020, but now it was gone.
Not to worry though. Thiago's teammates would ultimately bail him out from the penalty spot, and a week and a half later his hamstring was healed enough for him to start this clash with Inter Milan at Anfield.
And if he was feeling cobwebs at kick-off then they were quickly blown away in what was a frantic start.
It very quickly became apparent that the Reds were in fact facing the Italian champions here despite their two-goal first leg advantage, and it was often to Thiago that they'd look to in order to recycle possession and restart attacks against their thoroughly impressive opponents.
When seeking to up the tempo Thiago was there too, threading fine passes and linking up with fellow midfielder Curtis Jones. It was Thiago's terrific ball which got Diogo Jota in in the second half, with Mo Salah slamming the follow up against the post.
It was to be expected that Thiago wouldn't last the pace, and he left the pitch in the 65th minute shortly after Alexis Sanchez's red card had hampered Inter so soon after Lautaro Martinez's goal.
Thiago left the pitch after doing a fine job, but it was the fact that he had been picked to start the match on it which said so much.
With Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both out of contract in the summer of 2023, you'd think that one of them will surely leave the Reds this summer while one will be retained, particularly with Jones on the scene, Harvey Elliott still around and Jordan Henderson's influence still key.
Another young central midfielder will probably be added too, but Thiago won't be going anywhere. That Keita vs Oxlade-Chamberlain decision will be a big one for the Reds in the summer, and there is a lot to consider, but Thiago's future isn't on the list.
He is still a vital cog in the Liverpool machine under Jurgen Klopp, and player he wants to turn to on the big nights.
Even the awkward ones such as these.
