Naby Keita's fortune since moving to Liverpool is such that if he were to catch a break, a passing seagull would most likely swoop down and snatch it from his grasp.
The sight of Keita walking gloomily out of training early on during the session at Vodafone Park on Tuesday was one all too familiar.
Head down, trudging almost disconsolately, the midfielder's body language screamed with the frustration of another potential injury setback.
Keita will be assessed before tonight's UEFA Super Cup clash against Chelsea here in Istanbul, Jurgen Klopp prepared to give the Guinean every chance of being available.
Follow all the latest news on Keita ahead of the Super Cup HERE
Not least as this was earmarked by many as an opportunity for the 24-year-old to shine from the start having impressed in the final pre-season friendly against Lyon and as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield against Manchester City.
Keita had missed much of pre-season as he recovered from a thigh problem first suffered in Barcelona in May and aggravated while on Africa Cup of Nations duty in June,
But the perception the Guinean has been regularly injured is, well, wrong.
Last season, he was absent for four games in autumn due to a back problem suffered at Napoli, missed two games in March with a knock and sat out the the final four fixtures, including the Champions League final.
It meant he was in the matchday squad on 41 occasions, making 22 starts.
The problem for Keita has been one of timing. On every occasion he has found consistent form and began delivering on his promise, a setback of some kind has struck – such as on Tuesday.
Keita's travails last season are maybe best encapsulated by the 1-1 home draw against Leicester City in January, when he was denied an obvious penalty after being bundled over inside the box.
Without wishing to fall down the 'what if' rabbit hole, had that been given the Premier League campaign may have panned out differently for club and player.
And with greater confidence and rhythm, the midfielder would have shot first time and probably scored. Instead, he took a touch, and the chance was lost. Frustrating.
One aspect where Keita has been a tad lucky is the lack of spotlight on his transfer fee.
Even in an age of exorbitant fees, the £52.75million Liverpool paid RB Leipzig for his services in the summer of 2018 is a lot of money, particularly given the deal had been agreed 12 months earlier.
Everyone can see the talent Keita has – that Wembley cameo so impressive with his forward drive, work ethic and willingness to chance creative throughballs – but he remains tantalisingly still more potential than end product.
His huge cost hasn't yet been justified. Not even close.
Liverpool will hope that changes in the coming months, Klopp having huge faith in a player for which he remains willing to wait.
Keita, though, can only do that on the pitch – and not in the treatment room.
