Trent Alexander-Arnold wheeled away, whipped his shirt off and threw it in the air like Mohamed Salah against Manchester United the last time Liverpool won the title, and stood, arms outstretched on either side of him, in front of the delirious traveling fans.
Perhaps he knew that this might be the last goal he scores for his boyhood club, with Real Madrid circling. Perhaps he simply wanted to relish the huge moment in a game where his teammates had been frustrated in front of goal.
Salah had had enough chances to score a hat-trick on another day, while Diogo Jota hit the bar from close range. But it was Alexander-Arnold, coming off the bench, who got the telling touch, putting Liverpool a maximum of one win away from what has now been inevitable for some time: being confirmed as league champion.
"I don’t think it only meant a lot for him, I think it meant a lot for everyone — for everyone who loves Liverpool," Arne Slot said during his post-match press conference at the King Power Stadium. "It is a big moment. Big players like to have big moments in their career.
"Virgil [van Dijk] had one last week in a special moment; Mo [Salah] has had them many times this season already. Players with the quality of Trent, you know — you know — these players step up when you most need it."
It is for that reason that Alexander-Arnold will be so missed if he does leave for Real Madrid in the summer. That it will be for no transfer fee is largely irrelevant; far more significant is that Liverpool would be losing a player who is unique and therefore irreplaceable.
Alexander-Arnold scored with his team's 25th shot of the game against Leicester, and netted his first strike for Liverpool with his weaker left foot. When Slot needed some magic, it was his right-back to provided it.
"Like I’ve said all season, I’m not going to speak on my situation, I’m not going to go into details," Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports a few moments after the final whistle had blown. "But these days like today are always special.
"Scoring goals, playing, winning games, being close to winning titles as well as being in title races. They are special moments that will live with me forever, and I’m glad to be a part of them."
It certainly looked that way as the Liverpool vice-captain wildly celebrated his goal. There can be no doubt that Alexander-Arnold loves wearing the red shirt — even if he might opt for a change of scenery when his contract expires.
"It would be ridiculous if someone argues his commitment to this club," Slot said. And quite right too. Alexander-Arnold's legacy will be tainted in the eyes of Liverpool fans if he leaves this summer, but his quality on the ball and his determination to get over the line in the title race simply cannot be questioned.
