The frantic reaction of Mohamed Salah said it all.
Harvey Elliott was thrusting down the right flank at Elland Road when a challenge by Leeds United defender Pascal Strujik left the Liverpool midfielder in a heap on the floor, screaming in agony.
Salah, the nearest team-mate to the incident, knew immediately something was wrong and hurriedly motioned for the medical staff to race on to the field and tend to the stricken youngster while imploring referee Craig Pawson to stop the game. Watching on from the touchline, Naby Keita had tears in his eyes as 18-year-old Elliott saw his encouraging start to the season brought to a shuddering halt with what was later diagnosed as a fracture dislocation of his left ankle.
READ MORE: Joel Matip reveals training ground talks and Liverpool dressing room reaction to Napoli defeat
READ MORE: Liverpool game at Chelsea in further doubt after UEFA confirm Arsenal decision
That was 12 months ago today. While Elliott was sidelined for five months, Strujik served a three-match ban before returning to action. But if the contrasting length of absence wasn't greeted with universal approval, the Liverpool man had no ill feelings towards his Leeds opponent.
"Wasn't his fault whatsoever," said Elliott. "Neither was it a red card, just a freak accident but these things happen in football."
For Elliott, though, the long haul was beginning. First came successful surgery to repair the damage to both the fracture and ligaments, with Liverpool not placing any pressure on the player with an expected return date.
"We will play without him but we will wait for him," said Jurgen Klopp. "He's a top, top player."
The Liverpool boss had certainly been impressed with the youngster in the weeks leading up to the injury. Having returned from a hugely impressive season-long loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, Elliott continued his form into the pre-season and had forced his way into the starting line-up in midfield for the second game of the campaign at home to Burnley.
But after an encouraging showing against Chelsea the following week came his Elland Road setback. It wasn't until February that Elliott was back in action, coming off the bench to score a first-ever Liverpool goal in the FA Cup win over Cardiff City at Anfield.
He played the final half-hour of the home Premier League victory against Leicester City a few days later, and that was sufficient for the teenager to be given his Champions League bow the following midweek as a surprise starter in the round of 16 first leg triumph at Inter Milan.
Elliott, though, struggled to make an impact at the San Siro, and his first-team chances were subsequently limited to just four further appearances as he regained match sharpness and full fitness.
Two were notable. Elliott emerged from the bench in the League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley to play 41 minutes before confidently scoring in Liverpool's epic penalty shoot-out triumph. And, in the penultimate Premier League game of the season at Southampton in May, his start was his first in the competition since his injury eight months earlier.
Liverpool's faith in Elliott was underlined by awarding him an improved five-year contract in the summer and, for the second pre-season in succession, he was among the Reds' most impressive performers during the warm-up programme.
And similar to the previous campaign, having made a positive impact as a substitute in the Premier League opener at former club Fulham, Elliott has since claimed a regular starting role as Liverpool's midfield injury crisis deepened, largely employed on the right side of the midfield three and, as at Goodison earlier this month, broadening his experience with more defensive stints.
The teenager's emotional reaction to netting a first Premier League goal in the recent 9-0 romp over Bournemouth - just days after his grandmother had died - is an abiding memory of Liverpool's first few weeks of the campaign.
Elliott's indifferent showing at Napoli last week highlighted it was only his 19th start for Liverpool, with the availability of Thiago Alcantara and new loan signing Arthur Melo now giving Klopp the opportunity to take the youngster out of the firing whenever deemed suitable. Not 20 until April, Elliott has plenty of learning to come and time in which to do it.
"It's been a big rollercoaster for me and my family and even for the club," he said when signing his new deal in August. "So much has happened in the years that I have been here. I'm hoping there are many more memories to come."
Elliott has already started taking steps in that direction. Liverpool, as Klopp said, have waited for the youngster. And that patience is now being rewarded handsomely.
READ NEXT:
- 'I had never seen anything like this' - Johan Cruyff fell in love with Anfield but Liverpool dream was denied
- Liverpool staff delighted with rushed through transfer as £50m move pays off
-
Jurgen Klopp opens up on Liverpool squad meeting after Napoli 'horror show'
- Nemanja Vidic ignores Fernando Torres after naming two Liverpool strikers as toughest opponents
- Liverpool striker with 'incredible mental strength' backed for successful move after cruel setbacks
