The beaming smile, the spring in the step and the thumbs up: The Roberto Firmino hallmarks were all there as he returned to training on Tuesday.
The striker got back to work at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre as day two of the pre-season schedule involved a move out onto the pitches for Jurgen Klopp's players.
But for arguably the first time since Firmino joined seven summers ago, the Brazil international was not in possession of something else that has largely been taken for granted since he moved from Hoffenheim in 2015. Namely, his place in the starting XI.
READ MORE: Liverpool set midfield boost after breaking transfer rules for £25m signing
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp has already hinted at what role Harvey Elliott will play for Liverpool
Twelve months ago, the idea of Liverpool's forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane being broken up was deemed unthinkable.
Even allowing for the impressive first season on Merseyside for Diogo Jota, the thought of Firmino not leading the line as the first choice centre forward in between the flyers of Mane and Salah seemed hard to realistically believe.
After all, Firmino has always been the perfect foil for the two players who have scored 276 goals between them during their time on Merseyside.
Jota's 21-goal season last time out eventually saw him nudge ahead of Firmino in the pecking order before the subsequent arrival and impressive adaptation of Luis Diaz increased the competition for a place in Klopp's front three.
And while the departure of Mane sees the Reds entering something of a transition period up top, the £64m capture of Darwin Nunez from Benfica last month perhaps moves Firmino to fifth choice for the forthcoming campaign.
But given the flurry of activity in the striking department at Anfield, Firmino may be able to benefit from being the one Klopp knows without question what he is getting.
In a summer that has also seen Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi leave before Salah became the highest-paid player in Anfield history with a new deal that runs until 2025, Firmino may yet be able to benefit from the flurry of activity around him.
With just 12 months left on his contract, there has been little talk either way of the club's long-term plans for a player who turns 31 in October. With Mane out of the picture and Salah signed on for the long haul, there still remains an element of mystery over their wishes for the third of that famous triumvirate.
Reports of interest from Juventus have emerged in Italy of late but it is unlikely Liverpool will entertain any offers for the No.9 at present. The relatively cut-price nature of his value means he is worth more to Klopp for the coming campaign than trading him in at this stage and searching for another replacement, particularly in a year that has already seen plenty of turnover up top.
Firmino may be about to enter a season unlike any he's had before at Liverpool, but Klopp could yet to take comfort from the familiarity of his flamboyant forward.
READ NEXT
- Liverpool to offer two more contracts as six signings hint at wider transfer strategy at play
Liverpool set for major payday as £12.5bn deal takes step closer
- Mohamed Salah contract, Jude Bellingham and what's next in Julian Ward's Liverpool masterplan
- Where Mohamed Salah ranks in Premier League's top earners after new Liverpool deal
- Manchester striker 'burst into tears' after Liverpool approach before living his dream on 'horrific' Anfield night
