Mohamed Salah stopping for a chat with the media as he left the London Stadium was about as unlikely as Liverpool now winning the Premier League title this season after their dismal 2-2 draw at West Ham.
He has spoken in the mixed zone - a corridor of uncertainty where players must walk past the hungry press pack - just twice in his seven years at Liverpool. But still, a small group of reporters who cover most Reds matches optimistically went down to the bowels of the stadium.
In truth, Mail Sport was there on a mission to get some flash quotes from players on incoming boss Arne Slot.