Liverpool needed some light relief today, with Trent Alexander-Arnold's presentation at Real Madrid proving to be a somewhat galling experience. Fortunately, three club legends have come together to take an amusing swipe at him.
It was never going to be a barrel of laughs seeing Alexander-Arnold in the famous white kit, the full-back having once claimed to dream of the captaincy at Anfield. But his unveiling was ultimately even worse than expected, thanks to a number of grating comments.
There was the rapid backtrack after admitting that he had waited "a long time" for the move — something which had already been made pretty apparent from his fluent Spanish. There was a glowing reference to Real Madrid's famous "three-in-a-row" Champions League feat, despite the fact that Alexander-Arnold was playing for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side in the last of those encounters.
All in all, it just left a bitter taste in the mouth. And three Liverpool legends came along with some catharsis at just the right moment.
As is often the way with these things, it was orchestrated by mischief-loving British bookmaker Paddy Power. They roped in Phil Thompson, Jason McAteer and Neil Ruddock for a "tribute".
"The memory of that night. That one magic moment will stay with the fans forever, no matter what happens", muses Thompson as the video begins.
"One of those incredible European nights for Liverpool," McAteer continues. "It's what they're famous for."
"One piece of individual brilliance turned the game," remarks Ruddock. "And it comes from a full-back!", adds McAteer.
Naturally, this is leading viewers toward thoughts of that night against Barcelona a little over six years ago. Alexander-Arnold's quickly-taken corner completed the comeback, sending Liverpool to the Champions League final.
The charade continues, with Thompson, McAteer and Ruddock making references to the game being between two European giants, and poised on a knife edge at 3-3. But of course, this description also applies to another famous night in Liverpool's history.
Djimi Traore during the 2005 Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan.
Djimi Traore during the 2005 Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan. (Image: Pressefoto Ulmer\ullstein bild via Getty Images)
And then comes the increasingly obvious bait-and-switch, with the trio revealing that they are talking about Istanbul. The full-back in question is Djimi Traore, the moment of individual brilliance being his goal-saving clearance.
A bemused Paddy Power producer then says that the video is meant to be for Alexander-Arnold. "Who?", replies McAteer.
"Alexander-Arnold? Sounds a bit posh for me," remarks Thompson. "Is he maybe some sort of Tory MP or something?"
Informed that Alexander-Arnold is the best full-back in Liverpool's recent history, McAteer perks up. "You mean Andy Robertson," he says.
"No? Conor Bradley?"
It's all very silly, and quite petty. But it reflects the mood of Liverpool fans, who are keener than ever after today to simply move on from Alexander-Arnold and his spell at the club.
In time, attitiudes will no doubt soften, and he will be recognized for the very real role he played in bringing so much success to Anfield. But while there may be faux outrage from fans of other clubs, supporters are allowed to be frustrated — and this gentle mocking captured the mood rather nicely, raising a smile on a day where social media was quite an angry place.