Not since the 6-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of the 2014-15 season, Steve Gerrard’s last game, had Liverpool been three goals down at halftime. No Jurgen Klopp side had been 3-0 down at halftime since his Mainz lost to Bayern Munich in 2007.

And yet it got worse. A Rodri pass found De Bruyne, Foden’s run created space for Sterling, whose shot was drifting just wide when it was turned over his own line by the back-tracking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

In terms of this season, it didn’t matter, but a 4-0 win perhaps sets down some sort of marker–though City’s makeup next season could hinge on the forthcoming ruling of its Champions League ban appeal. Regardless, Klopp is anticipating a battle that extends beyond the two teams and not another romp to the title for 2020-2021.

“We will not defend the title next season. We’ll attack the next one,” Klopp said earlier this week. “I have learned when you think you have reached the pinnacle, you are already on the way down.

“City will be strong next season, [Manchester] United will be strong next season, Chelsea will be strong.”

So maybe Thursday’s result matters in the long run, and maybe it does not. Amid a league season that has been hugely disappointing for City, whose two-year reign is over, it perhaps regains at least a small measure of pride.