Deep in the bowels of Wembley Stadium in the aftermath of Liverpool's Carabao Cup final defeat, Harvey Elliott winced as he hobbled toward the exit.
The midfielder had been on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Newcastle United's Joelinton in the dying stages of his team's dismal 2-1 defeat, and his battle-weary state embodied an eight-day spell that had left Liverpool both physically and mentally spent.
It was a week that had initially promised so much. Head coach Arne Slot had described the visit of Southampton to Anfield on March 8 as "the first of three cup finals" for his side.