If this is a win that is to ultimately mean anything in Liverpool's grand plan for glory, then they must now ensure it is their name on the FA Cup on May 14. There is no other option from here on in.
This was a statement victory over Manchester City that will only embolden those who are firm in their belief that Jurgen Klopp's men can in fact sweep the board between now and the end of May. Another final beckons and they can sit back with their feet up on Easter Sunday as Chelsea meet Crystal Palace for the right to face them here again at Wembley in a month. Now, the task is clear - deliver a first FA Cup since 2006.
But for now, even if the quadruple quest and its unrelenting run-in means it can only be a fleeting sensation, Jurgen Klopp can toast to another memorable day out and a performance over City that could yet be hugely psychological in the coming weeks.
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With nothing to separate these two in the Premier League skirmishes at the Etihad or Anfield this season, it took a dominant display at the national stadium for Liverpool to secure their first win against their now fierce enemy since November 2019. How it was richly deserved too; the right team is heading to the final and there can surely be no qualms about that from Pep Guardiola.
And how instructive could this yet be for a potential showdown in the Champions League final in Paris next month? For now, talk of that game - one that may actually be sizable enough to label it the biggest ever for both clubs - can wait.
All Klopp and his players have to do now, if only for a short while, is enjoy their latest achievement. They're getting used to celebrating here, aren't they? There's a reason this place is known to some as 'Anfield South'.
The manager made seven changes to his team as Naby Keita, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz kept their places from Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Benfica in the Champions League.
The decision to keep Konate in was an inspired one as he made it three goals in as many games with another header from a corner, this time past Zack Steffen inside 10 minutes. The smell of pyro filled the London air, the red smoke drifted across the pitch and fans celebrated like they'd just heard the full-time whistle. City, with hindsight, will probably wish they had too. Zack Steffen certainly will have.
The American goalkeeper was wholly responsible for the concession of a second when he dawdled in possession near his own goal-line. It was an incident reminiscent of Ederson's close-call last week at the Etihad, but where the Brazilian cleared away from an onrushing Diogo Jota, Steffen could not avoid a determined Sadio Mane, whose slide tackle comically ended up in the back of the net.
It was a horror moment from the shot-stopper and one that brought his selection into a harsh light given first-choice incumbent, Ederson, was sitting on the bench for the afternoon.
Mane was not done tormenting the City back-up keeper, either. The Senegal international continued his outstanding 2022 for club and country by rifling home a delicious chip from a purring Thiago Alcantara shortly before half-time. It was a stunning move also involving Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and the superb Luis Diaz.
City responded less than two minutes into the restart through Jack Grealish after Gabriel Jesus had got clear of Fabinho. It was tough on Liverpool given the paucity of their previous attacking thrust, but it served as a reminder that the game was not yet won.
Fernandinho was belatedly cautioned for a late one on Mane as the incensed Liverpool players crowded around the veteran midfielder in protest of what was surely his fourth or fifth foul of the match. Mane was subsequently booked for getting a bit of revenge moments later.
Klopp sent on captain Jordan Henderson for the excellent Keita with around 15 minutes left after Mohamed Salah had somehow scooped it wide after pouncing on Oleksandr Zinchenko's poor header back to Steffen.
Bernardo Silva managed to squeeze home a City second on the cusp of injury time to set up the nerviest of four minutes, but in truth, it was merely a glean on the scoreline that flattered a team who were second best all afternoon against their only real peer in English football.
And whether it is Palace in the final now or a fourth meeting of the season with Chelsea that awaits them back here, Liverpool will have no fear or trepidation on the big stage. They have made it their home under Klopp.
The world's oldest football competition can take a backseat for the best part of a month now. With Manchester United and Everton to come at Anfield in the Premier League next week before a Champions League semi-final with Villarreal, attention is demanded elsewhere as this unflinching April goes on. Savour these next few weeks. They could well be the very best of times.
