Jordan Henderson was reunited with several former Liverpool colleagues when helping England cruise into the last 16 of the World Cup against Wales on Tuesday night.
And it was his quick thinking that saw one of them substituted for the sake of their own health.
Ex-Reds man Neco Williams, who joined Nottingham Forest in the summer, was making his third start in the tournament in the Group B decider at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool Academy boosted by Jurgen Klopp decision as response to Julian Ward exit clear
READ MORE: Inside FSG's £240m Anfield plan as naming rights deal could hand new owners major boost
The 21-year-old right-back required lengthy treatment early in the game when he was caught on the top of the head by a powerful Marcus Rashford free-kick, after which he was given the all clear to continue playing.
Shortly afterwards, Henderson fouled Williams in attempting to win the ball and fell on top of his former colleague in the process. However, the Liverpool skipper then noted something wasn't quite right with his opponent and checked on him, then embraced Williams before looking concerningly towards the Wales bench. Williams was substituted moments later with concussion.
That the defender had initially been allowed to continue has again sparked debate over how football deals with head injuries during the course of a game.
Williams had spoken during his time at Liverpool of the influence Henderson had on his development "I'm training with some of the best players in the world every day and that is 100% going to develop and mature me as a player," he said.
"I'm always getting advice from older and senior players like Jordan Henderson and James Milner. I do speak to them quite regularly to get good advice in terms of football but also outside of football, just general advice."
Along with Williams, Henderson also came up against former Liverpool trio Danny Ward, Joe Allen and Harry Wilson during Tuesday's match, which England won 3-0 to eliminate Wales from the competition and set up a last 16 clash with Senegal on Sunday.
READ NEXT:
- Martin Broughton could have second Liverpool chapter if interest in FSG sale develops
- Liverpool fans spot what Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold did in worrying Jordan Henderson moment
Jurgen Klopp has let slip what transfer business he wants from Liverpool in January
- Alan Shearer left fuming after former Liverpool star forced off in England vs Wales
- Jude Bellingham makes Jordan Henderson point that Liverpool fans will agree with after England win over Wales
