The true measure of how a footballer has played will always come from within the dressing room — the environment where nobody can be kidded.
Harsh critics are found in a team's inner sanctum, so it gives you a sense of Thiago Alcantara's display against Manchester United that the initial reaction from some at Anfield, who have been around the game for years, was limited to three words: 'Oh my God.'
Thiago left the pitch to a standing ovation when he was substituted and wrapped in a bear hug by Jurgen Klopp.