Liverpool continued their improving form with a hard-earned win over West Ham United on Wednesday.
Darwin Nunez's header midway through the first half was sufficient to earn the Reds a third successive win in all competitions. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side have moved up to seventh in the Premier League table and have closed the gap on the Champions League places to four points.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield.
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Milner put in corner
They say experience comes with age. And with nobody in the Liverpool squad wiser than James Milner, it's small wonder Jurgen Klopp turned to the veteran to help see the game out during a late cameo.
Much will be made of Milner's vital touch to help prevent Tomas Soucek netting a late equaliser for the visitors. But just as important was his ability to keep the ball - particularly near the corner flag.
It's a tried-and-trusted favourite in danger of going out of fashion. But such was Milner's insistence on heading for the corner during the closing moments, it prompted a chuckle from Jurgen Klopp on the touchline. The old ones are always the best, eh?
Managers together
Klopp was also seen having a belly laugh before the game. Normally, the Reds boss spends most of the warm-up period casting his eye over the opposition when stood by the halfway line.
This time, though, Klopp was deep in conversation with his West Ham counterpart David Moyes, who had defended the German earlier in the week in the wake of his red card against Manchester City at the weekend.
And the pair enjoyed a joke or two before parting after a warm embrace. Football doesn't always have to be about venom and bile, clearly.
Van Dijk sends reminder
Liverpool dominated the opening half-hour only to be gradually penned back by West Ham, who enjoyed sufficient possession during the second half in particular.
And as the tide slowly began to turn before the break, Virgil van Dijk could see the warning signs, forcibly berating some of his team-mates having had to race out of position to prevent one visiting attack developing into a problem.
Elewhere, matters were far more cordial between Fabio Carvalho and Declan Rice, the Liverpool man offering his West Ham rival a cheeky smile after doing him for skill, Rice responding in kind in acknowledgement of a decent piece of play.
Elliott avoids soaking
Whether from the start or, as on Wednesday, the bench, Harvey Elliott continues to impress for Liverpool. And he even shone during half-time.
As the Reds substitutes went through their normal warm-up routine, Elliott demonstrated some nifty footwork for the fans munching on their pies.
The youngster flicked the ball over the sprinklers placed in the middle of the pitch and then leapt between the two jets of water before carrying on his preparations. Now that's talent.
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