A pair of Liverpool players got a close look at their next opponents yesterday after a not-so covert trip to Elland Road.
Midfield duo Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara both enjoyed hospitality before Leeds United's Premier League home clash against Manchester United - a match the visitors went on to win 4-2.
The duo certainly had a vested interest in the fixture, with Jurgen Klopp's side set to face Leeds in a vital fixture at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
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Should the Reds achieve another a victory against Marcelo Bielsa's side, they will cut the gap between themselves and leaders Manchester City to only three points.
Played in adverse weather conditions, Leeds showed great spirit to come back from 2-0 down at half-time, tying the match at 2-2 with goals from Rodrigo and Raphina.
But their Manchester rivals simply had too much for the hosts in the end, eventually scoring twice more to secure a 4-2 away win.
Thiago and Fabinho will have learned plenty about their next opponents on their 'scouting mission' - but their reason for being there could be more innocent than first apparent.
Leeds star Rodrigo is a close friend of Thiago's, thanks to a lifelong friendship between their fathers.
Both players arrived in the Premier League at the same time last season for their respective clubs.
Rodrigo signed for the Yorkshire club from La Liga side Valencia, while Thiago made the switch to Merseyside from Bayern Munich.
Rodrigo's father is former Flamengo defender Aldaberto, who moved to Spain to open a football school alongside 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho - the father of Thiago.
Some Kopites have even speculated Thiago and Fabinho could have been at Elland Road for a third reason - to keep a close eye on rumoured transfer target Raphinha.
The Brazilian did his chances of joining Jurgen Klopp's red machine no harm by scoring Leeds' second on the day.
Liverpool take on Leeds at Anfield in a 7.45pm kick off on Wednesday evening.
