Joe Gomez’s success in winning his 12th England cap - four years after his last - was another triumph for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool understudies.
In the weekend when Gomez returned to the England fold, Caoimhin Kelleher lined up as the Republic of Ireland No 1 against Belgium and Conor Bradley starred in Northern Ireland’s fine draw in Romania.
Their success is the underlying reason why Liverpool are still chasing a treble this season.
Yes, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis MacAllister attract most of the headlines at Liverpool, but the understudies have kept them going during their injury-ravaged campaign.
Gomez has made an impressive 41 appearances for Liverpool at right-back, left-back, centre-half and even in centre-midfield and only Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo can top that. He is more versatile than a Swiss Army knife and he has repeatedly stepped up for Liverpool all over the park.
His best moment was when he filled in at left-back when Kostas Tsimikas went off with a broken collarbone against Arsenal at Anfield in December.
Andy Robertson was already out with a dislocated shoulder and Gomez had to line up against the dangerous Bacary Sagna. Sagna had already given Tsimikas the runaround before the Greek went off injured, but Gomez shut the England star down as he went on to make left-back his position.
Kelleher had massive shoes to fill when he replaced Alisson against Burnley last month, but Liverpool have not missed their Brazil star as the Irishman has reeled off 10 successive starts.
He has 22 appearances this season and it is no wonder than Klopp hails him as the best back-up goalie in the world. Bradley too has been a revelation since the turn of the year and, like Gomez, has shone for Liverpool in different positions.
He got his chance because of injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he is more than a right-back and can play anywhere on that wing.
In the Carabao Cup Final, he played in defence, midfield and attack and was equally solid in all positions. Bradley has made 18 appearances this season in his breakthrough campaign and is a star in the making.
He loves a tackle and there is a maturity and level-headedness about him, which belie his 20 years. Jarell Quansah has also been outstanding for Liverpool since coming on for his debut during the Reds’ famous win at Newcastle in August.
The centre-half had been on loan at League One Bristol Rovers last season and has not looked out of place as he has clocked up 25 appearances.
He saved Liverpool a fortune in the January transfer window and the Reds did not have to think about replacing the injured Joel Matip because of his form.
The England Under-21 international has an excellent tutor in van Dijk, but it says it all about his and Bradley’s rapid progression that they are not considered as kids, despite their tender years.
So while the A-listers drive Liverpool on, remember the significant contribution of the understudies. As Klopp says, Liverpool would not be where they are without them.
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