Manchester City and Liverpool have consistently served up matches that were a full-on football feast since they became the two pre-eminent Premier League superpowers under managers Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
This was not one of them.
Whether it was the early start, heavy legs from international duty or just simply footballers actually being human, this was as close to ordinary, routine and flat as it has ever been from these two sides.
Even the crowd inside Etihad Stadium did not seem to be feeling it, Manchester City boss Guardiola turning to the home supporters and pleading for more noise in the second half in this uncharacteristically quiet atmosphere.