Sadio Mane was struggling to get down the tunnel. First, he was almost swept off his feet by a massive bear hug from Jurgen Klopp.
Next came an embrace with Robbie Fowler standing by the touchline. And then, nearly out of sight, the Senegalese was almost completely enveloped by an ecstatic Alisson Becker who then gave his team-mate a few celebratory shakes.
Not for the first time at Aston Villa, Mane had delivered a header that helped Liverpool come from behind to claim three points and strengthen their Premier League title challenge.
Okay, it perhaps won’t have the same impact as his late winner here in November 2019 that helped the Reds tighten their grip on top spot.
But the brilliantly-taken header has at least ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side will still be in contention the next time they walk out for a league game at Southampton next Tuesday.
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Clearly, Liverpool will not allow Manchester City to stroll to the title. Pep Guardiola’s side, as they have been aware since the turn of the year, are going to have to fight to retain their crown.
Even for a player who will rightly be regarded a Liverpool legend, Mane has been at a consistently impressive level since his return as an Africa Cup of Nations winner and player of the tournament, aided by the arrival of Luis Diaz allowing him to prosper in a central area.
And it was fitting Liverpool’s recovery from a frankly awful opening half-hour was completed by Mane twisting his head to nod in Diaz’s accurate delivery from the left flank midway through the second half.
From constantly chasing down seemingly lost causes and, in the second half in particular, keeping possession in the tightest of spaces, Mane put in a shift of which Roberto Firmino, back among the substitutes, would have been proud.
Reports earlier in the week suggested Bayern Munich were considering a summer move for Mane with the player approaching the final 12 months of his current contract. Who wouldn't be interested?
This season, though, isn’t over. And that Liverpool can still harbour hopes of an unprecedented quadruple is down to the Senegalese’s timely intervention.
Surely the last five months have demonstrated why extending Mane’s Anfield stay is a no-brainer – both for player and the club.
