Liverpool's team news had just been confirmed when suddenly sirens began to sound inside Anfield.
Was this a drill or something more serious? In a summer of devastating news at Liverpool, it's easy to jump to conclusions. Thankfully, it proved to be a false alarm, but staff initially weren't sure as a voice boomed over the public address system telling everyone to exit the ground before the friendly against Athletic Bilbao.
Journalists and staff located in the Main Staff press room shuffled out and congregated outside, while supporters situated just over an hour before kick-off were forced to do the same. Staff soon were demonstrating a slightly greater sense of urgency in ejecting those still in stadium, presumably, without being sure what was actually going on.
Thankfully, this was a sunny - although very blustery - afternoon on Merseyside, so waiting in the fresh air didn't prove to be be a huge problem. Had it been a mid-winter night this could have been a different story.
In the meantime, team news began to filer through ahead of the second game. Arne Slot confirmed Virgil van Dijk was ill and Conor Bradley has suffered a minor knock. None of the reporters in the ground were able to type the news on their laptops, so social media updates had to do.
Then, news came through via Liverpool FC Help on X: This was merely a technical error.
Liverpool fans leave the Main Stand at Anfield
Liverpool fans stream out of the Main Stand
"Shortly before 15:50 p.m. there was a false alarm in the Anfield Main Stand, leading to supporters in that area of the stadium to be temporarily evacuated," the club explained in a post.
"Fans are now being let back into the Main Stand and there is no expected delay to KO. Thank you for everyone's co-operation."
It didn't immediately lead to those milling about outside be readmitted, though. In fact, it was another 30 minutes until security staff were allowed to let fans enter once again.
Phil Thompson and Bilbao president Jon Uriarte lay wreaths in honour of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Anfield.
Phil Thompson and Bilbao president Jon Uriarte laid wreaths in honour of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Anfield before kick-off
Outside the media entrance, an exception was made for club staff, who were crossing the threshold with a flash of a pass. In the end, it wasn't until 15 minutes before kick-off that the doors fully opened.
Understandably, that many people entering the ground isn't a quick process, and at certain areas of it took things moved at a snail's pace.
In the press box, one reporter missed the first goal by the time he took his seat.
Most importantly, it was an episode that passed without any major incident. Before the game even started, fans were signing the name of the late Diogo Jota. That put the minor inconvenience into perspective.