A part of Chris Wood was surely wondering why he was even making the effort.
As the Newcastle United substitute raced on to a throughball from Allan Saint-Maximin in the second half on Saturday, he no doubt had two thoughts going through his head: "Am I onside? And will I be able to get past Alisson Becker?"
The answer, as it has so often transpired this season, was negative on both counts, the Liverpool defence - marshalled by Virgil van Dijk - stepping up at the right moment to render Wood's run meaningless. And even when the striker did reach as far as Alisson, he found it impossible to find a way past the Reds goalkeeper, his eventual shot smothered before the flag was belatedly thrust into the air by the assistant referee.
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Wood is in good company. Another clean sheet - a 10th in the last 13 Premier League games - moved Alisson on to 20 for the season in the top flight, the first goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues to reach the landmark this campaign. The Brazilian, who is edging compatriot Ederson of Manchester City in the race to win the Golden Glove award, is now only one behind his best Premier League tally of 21 set in the 2018/19 season.
Key to that is his ability at one-on-one situations. Statistics last week emerged that confirm Alisson is by some distance the most proficient goalkeeper in the Premier League when left in an individual battle with an opponent.
Liverpool's high line means that leaving Alisson exposed is always a risk of an approach that, overall, continues to reap rewards. The fact Jurgen Klopp's side remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple with the season now in May is testament to that.
But one of several reasons behind the Reds' confidence in the tactic is Alisson's willingness to race from his line and clear danger - as he did when dealing with Saint-Maximin during the first half on Saturday - and his presence in those one-on-one battles. Arguably not since Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has the Premier League witnessed such prowess in that regard.
It was against United a fortnight ago that Alisson demonstrated as such, Marcus Rashford having beaten the Liverpool offside line but repelled by the keeper, who then also kept out Anthony Elanga's follow-up attempt.
Alisson also did as much as he possibly could on Saturday when, before the interval, Miguel Almiron found himself clear and eventually netted, only for his celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag, one of nine shown to Newcastle on the day - the most Liverpool have teased out of an opponent in the Premier League this season.
Despite their irrelevance, both Newcastle's non-chances were included in televised highlights later on Saturday evening. This has been a curious development this season, constantly pointing out where Liverpool, by design, are allowing players to run clear offside, thus making opponents appear more dangerous than they actually were. If they are merely waiting for the moment the Reds are exposed, then they will be content - it will happen sooner rather than later. Sadly for the critics, it simply won't negate all the successes that have gone before.
Even then, Liverpool have shown a willingness to learn, collectively taking a step back having been too often caught out at Manchester City last month and reaping the rewards in the FA Cup semi-final against the same opponents the following weekend.
Alisson, and the backline as a whole, has benefited from Klopp urging a more cautious approach in the New Year that demanded defence as the foundation. Indeed, the goalkeeper has faced just four shots on target in his last four games.
That said, he is almost certain to be busier than of late when Liverpool are in Villarreal on Tuesday night for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. With the Spanish side 2-0 down, they will be compelled to have a much greater emphasis on attack.
And should Unai Emery's side find a way beyond the Reds high line, they'll still face the onerous task of finding a way past Alisson. City boss Pep Guardiola may have been facetious with his comments last week, but is there really a better goalkeeper in the world right now?
