Liverpool had only a tangential connection to the Euro 2024 final. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez were in the squad, but neither were given prominent roles, and they did not make it off the bench against Spain — with the winning side ultimately providing much of the interest from an Anfield persepctive.
After all, there have been transfer links between Liverpool and Nico Williams, who was ultimately awarded Player of the Match after opening the scoring for Spain. And the Reds will await news on Rodri's injury with interest, with the Manchester City star key to Pep Guardiola's prospects of winning a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Ultimately, there could be no complaints with the game's outcome. Jurgen Klopp would have had palpitations watching England's bungled half-attempt at a press, with Spain given the freedom of the gaping hole where the midfield should have been.
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At the same time, you have to acknowledge the Spanish brilliance, with this perhaps the most deserving champion of a major tournament since, well, the last time Spain won it. It dominated Euro 2024 from start to finish, and was the better side in the final, even if Cole Palmer provided a scare.
Among the stars of the show was Lamine Yamal. He's almost immune to transfer speculation, with Barcelona having inserted one of its now-trademark $1.1bn (£840m/€1bn) release clauses into the 17-year-old's contract — although that hasn't stopped a claim that the Catalans have rejected a $273m (£210m/€250m) bid, with PSG among the interested parties ( Forbes ).
Liverpool, clearly, would be unlikely to ever be in the running for the young superstar. But that hasn't stopped fans from dreaming, after former manager Klopp was pictured with Yamal's father.
It's been much remarked upon that teammate Jesus Navas is old enough to have been Yamal's dad. But his real father, Mounir Nasraoui, is becoming famous in his own right.
Klopp is enjoying something of a grand tour following his departure from Liverpool — something he's not prepared to give up just yet for the USMNT job . And his meeting with Yamal's father has inevitably got tongues wagging, albeit in hope more than expectation that he may have talked up his former club.
Yamal's deal at Barcelona only runs until 2026, but that's due to his young age. There are already plans in place to hand him a new contract some time next year, extending his terms through 2030.
Liverpool.com says: Barcelona appears to have another superstar on its hands in Lamine Yamal. It's eerie that he was pictured as a baby with Lionel Messi, as he now seems primed to take up that same mantle at the Nou Camp.
Of course, Liverpool can dream, and no doubt Klopp would have been willing to put in a good word with Yamal's father. But once Barcelona agrees the next deal with the teenager, he will be completely out of reach for any suitors.
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