Brendan Rodgers flashed those brand-new teeth, accompanied with a snort of happy incredulity, when he was asked whether Liverpool could reassess their targets, on the back of their best start to a season since 1994, and actually try to win the title. His laughter recognised the knee-jerk element to the question but he did point out that since the last time these sides met in January, they had both played 19 times in the league – and Liverpool were two points better off.
They were quicker to the ball, stronger in the challenge. More than anything, they seemed to have a superior understanding of this fixture, especially in the opening 45 minutes, and of how to balance all the energy and drive and togetherness that accompanies these occasions with a sense of control.