After such a long wait, Harvey Elliott wasn’t going to be hurried.
As Liverpool ’s players left the field to warm acclaim, the Reds youngster made a point of savouring every single moment while applauding the Kop before being the last player to disappear down the tunnel.
No wonder. Elliott, still just 18, had waited a full 147 days for competitive action having suffered a sickening ankle injury at Leeds United that halted an impressive campaign in its infancy.
That he marked his comeback with his first goal for Liverpool – and a superb one at that – may have snatched the limelight from new signing Luis Diaz.
But the contribution of the duo underlined how this FA Cup fourth round victory over Championship side Cardiff City offers a tantalising glimpse into the future for the Reds.
PLAYER RATINGS: Harvey Elliott bright as defender shines for Liverpool
READ MORE: What Luis Diaz did before Liverpool's second goal will delight Jurgen Klopp
Both Elliott and Diaz had been introduced shortly before the hour, each earning a rapturous Anfield ovation as they trotted out into combat.
For Diaz, it was a first outing since his whirlwind £49million arrival from Porto shortly before the transfer deadline, the Colombia international only meeting his new team-mates for the first time on Friday.
It took the 25-year-old just 10 minutes to provide a taste of his talent, his quick thinking and clever feet capitalising on hesitancy from Cardiff defender Perry Ng to steal possession and cut the ball back for an opportunity eventually converted by Takumi Minamino.
Diaz was then given a crash course in the rough and tumble of the FA Cup when his right knee was accidentally trod on by visiting centre-back Aden Flint.
After lengthy treatment, the new boy gingerly returned to his feet and played out the remainder of the game. Welcome to England, Luis.
Elliott’s landmark came just eight minutes later, controlling a cross from the left by substitute Andy Robertson with his left foot before swivelling to fire home in front of the Kop.
The emotion in his subsequent celebration was obvious while, sat in the Main Stand, his father Scott could be spotted dabbing a tear or two from his eyes.
It has been a long road back for the teenager, his impressive cameo demonstrating an urge to make up for lost time over the remaining months of the campaign.
There were further positives for Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara making a welcome return from the bench late on after six weeks out with a hip complaint, while Kostas Tsimikas again made the most of an opportunity at left-back and Diogo Jota notched his 15th goal of a productive campaign.
Of course, there will be much tougher tests to come than Cardiff, standing 20th in the Championship and for whom manager Steve Morison was compelled to field an experimental line-up with two teenagers handed a full debut.
Another, Rubin Colwill, at least gave the vociferous travelling fans a goal to cheer late on when, after Roberto Firmino lost the ball in midfield, he slotted confidently home.
So maintains Liverpool’s interest on all four fronts this season, with the Reds offering more evidence they have never been better equipped for such a challenge.
Consider the players who weren’t here.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, preparing to do battle in the Africa Cup of Nations. Alisson Becker and Fabinho, given a breather after World Cup qualifying duty with Brazil.
Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both having only just come out of isolation after positive coronavirus tests. And Divock Origi, not quite ready after two months out with a knee issue.
The ambition Klopp spoke of regards winning the FA Cup was reflected in a surprisingly strong line-up, fears over a lack of rhythm due to the mid-winter break – even Naby Keita, who had featured in the Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea, was without a game since January 18 – no doubt also playing into the thinking of the Reds boss given the busy February schedule.
But there was precious little to commend a laborious first-half performance in which, while playing a part, the blustery conditions couldn’t be used as an excuse.
With Cardiff’s five-man defence smothering well, barely anything memorable came from the 81% possession Liverpool enjoyed before the break.
Their best opportunity came early on, Keita’s fizzed low ball into the area controlled well by Jota who then swivelled and fired a shot Cardiff goalkeeper Dillon Phillips did well to parry.
Otherwise Liverpool were too hurriedly wasteful when the openings arrived, Curtis Jones and Keita way off target.
The Reds also survived a penalty shout when Cardiff forward Mark Harris got the wrong side of Ibrahima Konate and then went to ground, VAR Darren England seeing no reason to disagree with referee Andy Madley’s decision to wave away the protests.
And it was another contentious incident that finally sparked the game into life immediately after the break, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher booked after misjudging a long ball when sprinting from his area and upending Harris.
While the right call, it merely added to Cardiff’s earlier feeling of grievance. But the visitors could have only themselves to blame on 53 minutes when, after conceding a free-kick on the right, they left Jota unmarked to ghost in between two defenders and head Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery into the bottom corner.
Liverpool were never really threatened after that, and now entertain Norwich City early in March for a place in the quarter-finals.
The future may be bright, but shining in the present is what continues to matter most to Klopp, Elliott and company.
