Liverpool's players have been drawing on the mental lessons taught to them by a world champion big wave surfer during their remarkable season, and crucially during coronavirus lockdown.
The Reds resume the Premier League campaign just two wins away from the club's first league title since 1990, but having had to endure some suggestions that they wouldn't be allowed to finish off their season during football's suspension.
The 'null and void' claims never really got much traction outside of social media, but they did make for some trying times for the squad whilst they waited to discover the fate of 2019/20.
Liverpool's players were helped to handle the situation by recalling a meeting they had with German surfer Sebastian Steudtner, who was invited to talk to the squad by Jurgen Klopp at their pre-season training camp in Evian in August.
As per the Mail Online, Steudtner discussed how to remain calm in difficult moments, which for him meant toppling off his surfboard when on a big wave.
He also taught the players breathing exercises in the swimming pool at their training complex, as members of the squad were taught to stay cool under pressure, equating holding their breath under water to tight, tense situations in matches.
Left-back Andy Robertson says the experience has been a huge benefit to the squad.
"Subconsciously, that probably did play a big part," he told the Mail Online.
"These things were more about looking at the season — at times you will have aches and pains, you'll feel tired but you can block it out of your mind. Your head can do wonderful things but you also have voices in there that are not so good."
Robertson says the squad's inner belief is one of their best qualities, and he adds that they are ready to get over the line in their title tilt.
"That's where we have been so good with mind over matter," he added.
"That's the attitude we have taken all season. That's why we have worked so well. We have put in big performances when people did not expect it.
"We were trying to become the first champions to win it in March before lockdown. Maybe we will be the first to win it in June instead! I believe we will win two of the last nine games because we are a good enough team.
"Now we have got to go out and show it."
