You did not have to be a qualified body language expert to work out where the Saga of Trent Alexander-Arnold went and an episode, which was on a evening evening in the evening in November, gave the game somewhat away.
It was nothing that Alexander-Arnold did, but more the facial expressions of his good friend and soon club teammate Jude Bellingham.
The Superstar in England spoke in the media room to view Real Madrid's visit to Liverpool-The Premier League champions have an emphatic 2-0 win and Bellingham was asked for his thoughts of Alexander-Arnold.
He grinned and then looked at the table to put himself together before giving an answer trained by media: “I will play next year next year … for England. He is a Liverpool player and it would be disrespectful to talk about (a movement). He is a good partner. Let's see what happens. '
You could see in his eye that Bellingham then knew the travel direction, just like almost most of the room.
It was the worst kept secret in football and Mail Sport reported that Real Madrid was extremely convinced that they would sign him six months ago. Nothing has changed since then.
Liverpool fans clinged to hope that a U-turn could occur, but all the noise was that it was a matter of 'when' not 'if' Alexander-Arnold pulled the famous white sweater of Real Madrid and did kick-ups to his Santiago Bernabeu.
Proponents would have been stopping every letter of each word of Alexander-Arnold on social media on social media this season, an indication in themselves and all became body-language experts. If he smiled, he must think about changing thoughts, according to fans online.
But realistically, his mind has been made up for a considerable time.
Mail Sport understands that Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool will no longer negotiate a new deal in the Anfield Club in March of this year.
Real Madrid could not have legal conversations about a contract until New Year's Day, but their interest had been clear for months.
The fact that they did an approach to Liverpool on New Year's Eve to sign him for around £ 20 million in the January transfer window – it was a testing of the waters instead of an official offer – made it clear. They knew they could seduce him to participate.
Sources in Spain have been talking about the deal that is being done 'and dusted' for months, with Real Madrid Top Brass that tells local reporters so much in February. Nevertheless, they wanted to respect Liverpool and could not leak it as a foregone conclusion.
That is why it has now been chosen as the time to confirm the Exit of Alexander-Arnold. The competition title is won and this gives him the chance to have a good broadcast at Anfield in the last two home games against Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Whether that will be a warm farewell or cannot be seen. Certainly, Match-Going fans supported Alexander-Arnold during this Saga, but they could turn it on for leaving his boys' club.
So why and how did he make the decision to leave?
It has certainly not been easy. Reports that suggest that he wanted the same towering salaries as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are said to be wild wide. His decision was never driven by money and both parties were realistic about this.
Alexander-Arnold did not like the comparisons with Michael Owen and Steve McManaman, who both left Liverpool for Real Madrid two decades ago, because his situation is different: he won everything to win in Liverpool, while the two had to leave to chase trophies.
He spent time weighing the advantages and disadvantages of an exit and saw the fact that he was the next one in line for the Reds Captainincy as the highlight for a local boy.
But the allure of Real Madrid was just too much. To use Bellingham's words: 'When Real Madrid comes to beat, the whole house shakes. It is difficult not to open and accept it. '
Florentino Perez came to the door and Alexander-Arnold invited him for a cuppa.
Owen spoke earlier this year with Mail Sport and explained to us: 'I had the opportunity to do what Trent is doing (departure to Madrid). I chose that because I thought that would be a great experience. I wanted to try.
'You then lose a little control, you are almost a merchandise, you are there and if you do it right or do not do well, then you are not so attached and ingrained to a club like you used to be.
'But again, the positives of going to Real Madrid can be seen for everyone. Life experience … we only live once. Living in another country, learning a language, having a different climate, different food, all these things are quite incredible.
'Playing with one of the largest teams in the world, or probably the largest team in the world can be quite tempting.
'If you want to look at the pros and cons … Jamie Carragher is more loved than I have in Liverpool because of his loyalty, but I probably had experiences, met more people and had more life experience he didn't have.
'It just depends on what drives your boat. He must certainly be happy and satisfied with the way the team is and the trophies he can win in Liverpool. But does he want a lifestyle change? '
The lifestyle change is there for its primary reasons, but the most important thing is to take on a new challenge in his professional capacity.
He has expressed his wish to win personal awards, such as the balloon d'Or and Games in Real Madrid gives a good platform to do that.
Bellingham of course played a role to seduce him into the Bernabeu. The couple were depicted last summer on roller coasters together-from which Alexander-Arnold signatures signed for a young real fan and the subject was definitely discussed.
But now the worst kept secret in football is, Alexander-Arnold will be the newest Galactico, and Anfield will wave Adios to the scouse-heart rate of their team.