It was a mark of just how far Liverpool have come with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.
One foot was placed firmly in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a minimum of fuss.
There What nature of Porto win says about Liverpool - and the two players giving double bid huge boost , just warm applause for a professional job well done against FC Porto .
It wasn't one of those spine-tingling European nights which will be talked about for years.
Considering that it was only the second time that Anfield has hosted a Champions League quarter-final in the last decade, it was all decidedly low key.
The identity of the opposition and the early burst which established a quickfire 2-0 lead undoubtedly contributed to that.
Liverpool did exactly what they were expected to do as they outclassed the Portuguese champions and took control of the tie.
Before the final whistle had even blown, minds were already drifting towards the next hurdle in this thrilling pursuit of a dream double.
It was perfectly understandable. Klopp 's side find themselves in a position where a Champions League quarter-final isn't even their biggest game of the week.
If that relative cruise in Europe provided brief respite from the drama of the Premier League title race, it's back to the pressure-cooker of domestic business at Anfield on Sunday.
Old foes Chelsea are lying in wait. It's a fixture which rekindles painful memories from April 2014 when Steven Gerrard slipped, Demba Ba pounced and the Londoners gate-crashed the party.
Five years on, this is a very different Liverpool. Only Simon Mignolet remains at the club from the XI which started that contest.
What nature of Porto win says about Liverpool - and the two players giving double bid huge boost
If the Reds are going to stay on course for glory they need to do what they have failed to do for the past seven years – beat Chelsea at home.
It's been a barren run since Kenny Dalglish's side won the fixture 4-1 in May 2012 – three days after losing to them in the FA Cup final.
Since then Chelsea have visited Anfield on eight occasions in all competitions, winning three and drawing five.
The sight of Eden Hazard, who got the winner in the League Cup tie at Anfield back in September, helping himself to a dazzling double against West Ham earlier this week was a timely reminder about the threat they pose.
It's been a turbulent first season at the helm for Maurizio Sarri but they have already reached one final, sit third in the Premier League table and are in the last eight of the Europa League.
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Those continental commitments should play into Liverpool's hands. Klopp's men have the luxury of two days extra rest with Chelsea in action away to Slavia Prague on Thursday night.
Five games stand between the Reds and Anfield immortality if they can end the club's 29-year wait for the top-flight crown.
Take care of their own business and they will have 97 points. Manchester City could yet collect 98 – there has never been a title race quite like it.
But it's Liverpool who will head into the weekend with the greater spring in their step.
They have momentum on their side after a sixth straight win and it was achieved on a night when Andy Robertson, Joel Matip and Gini Wijnaldum all had their feet up.
The resurgence of midfield duo Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita offers them a new dimension, while Dejan Lovren got 90 minutes under his belt and Roberto Firmino helped himself to a goal and an assist.
It's been a gruelling season but Liverpool are coming on strong with options aplenty for Klopp.
In contrast City's morale was dented by a quarter-final first leg defeat to Tottenham. The intensity of that game made Liverpool's clash with Porto look like a stroll in the park.
Battle resumes at 2.05pm on Sunday when City face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Liverpool v Chelsea follows it.
The power of Anfield wasn't required on Tuesday night. Sarri's men won't find the place quite so welcoming on Sunday.
