So it turns out Jurgen Klopp called this one wrong: Loris Karius could have played and the final result would not have been in any semblance of danger.
After 72 hours of the news agenda being driven by Karius’ erratic form, Klopp decided no good could have come from subjecting the German to an ordeal on the barren banks of the Tees, at a venue where Liverpool historically falter.
As it turned out, this became the easiest game of the campaign for any Liverpool goalkeeper. So dominant were the outfield players, so totally in control and ruthless when the chances came, it made no difference who was standing between the posts at Middlesbrough.