That Dalglish went on to become still more beloved than Keegan, the scorer of the winner in the European Cup final in his debut year and arguably Liverpool’s greatest player, may be the most encouraging precedent.

Arne Slot hinted that Trent Alexander-Arnold is joining Real Madrid following the right back's Liverpool exit.

As a boyhood Red, Trent Alexander-Arnold grew up in admiration of Xabi Alonso and has made no secret of the fact. As he prepares to leave Liverpool whilst the Spaniard has now announced his intention to depart Bayer Leverkusen as manager at the end of the campaign, it makes one wonder how long ago their union was foretold.