By any objective measure, this had seemed like an away banker during what was a fevered buildup.
Manchester United, mired in their worst start to a season since 1989-90, were goal-shy; their confidence seemingly in pieces.
Liverpool were supposed to roll up to Old Trafford and extend their run of consecutive wins to a record-equalling 18th game and extend their 100% record this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the eternally optimistic United manager, had claimed that “this is the perfect game for us” but, to put it bluntly, nobody believed him. Perhaps they should have done.