Jurgen Klopp got straight to the point when asked to describe James Milner's performance in Tuesday's FA Cup third round replay win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"Top," came the response. "I think the oldest and the youngest were really exceptional."
While the display of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic rightly earned praise after the hard-earned 1-0 win at Molineux, the contribution of Milner did not pass unnoticed.
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And with Klopp having indicated those who produced against Wolves have put themselves in contention for Saturday's lunchtime Premier League showdown with Chelsea, it leaves the Reds boss with, if not a headache, then certainly a matter that will require considerable thought at right-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold remains the undoubted first choice in the position, a continued key figure under Klopp and one of the core squad members to have committed their long-term future at Anfield.
That, though, shouldn't mean he is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up. And the return of Milner does pose a question over the solidity of the Liverpool defence in the absence of Alexander-Arnold.
There were obviously many other factors at play, but the Reds' last two clean sheets came when the 24-year-old wasn't involved. Furthermore, in the four Premier League games this season where Liverpool have not conceded, Alexander-Arnold completed the full 90 minutes just once.
Indeed, his recent record against the Reds' near and traditional rivals has been patchy. He was at fault for one goal in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, was substituted early against Newcastle United and Everton, was replaced at half-time against Arsenal through injury having been exposed for one goal, and was subsequently limited to just a brief outing from the bench in the win over Manchester City the following week. He also missed the Carabao Cup defeat at City having been at the World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold, though, did score against Pep Guardiola's side in the Community Shield and played the full match in the 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in November.
There was the usual social media nonsense regarding his static nature for Brighton's late third goal last Saturday, completely ignoring the fact he had at that point been playing essentially on the right flank and, with Liverpool 2-0 down, had been tasked with trying to find a way back into the game in a far more progressive role.
And, in truth, Alexander-Arnold has been one of the Reds' better performers during the recent run of poor displays, contributing what are incredibly his first two assists of the season in setting up goals for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Brentford and Darwin Nunez in the initial FA Cup tie against Wolves.
But that he has played almost continual football for approaching three years has undoubtedly taken a toll, not least mentally given his curious treatment at international level. Few players have had their obvious talents questioned as much as Alexander-Arnold, even when he was just one of many Reds players to dip in form during the opening months of the campaign.
So, what options does Klopp have? Teenage Scotland right-back Calvin Ramsay was bought in the summer to provide competition at right-back but, after injury, is still finding his feet. Joe Gomez has done a job in the position when called upon but could be required in his preferred centre-back option with Joel Matip off form and Virgil van Dijk still injured.
Which leaves Milner. Now in his 38th year, the former England international cannot get up and down the wing as he used to, but his experience and knowhow was evident in midweek as he earned free-kicks at the right times and was rarely found out of position.
The reality is it would be a surprise if Alexander-Arnold - who has featured in every minute of the last nine Premier League meetings against Chelsea - doesn't start on Saturday, not least given Milner was making his first outing in almost a month in midweek after a hamstring problem.
But the availability of the veteran will give both Alexander-Arnold and Klopp a gentle reminder the right-back slot isn't entirely set in stone.
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