Liverpool's expensive summer signings failed to deliver as the Reds drew with Manchester City at Anfield, while Lewis Koumas showed up his more costly team-mates on his first Premier League start.
With £125million Alexander Isak among the many absentees, the stage was set for the next two most expensive players in the club's history to step up. But both £123m Bradley Barcola and £116m Florian Wirtz fluffed their lines.
Barcola and Wirtz struggle
For Barcola there is mitigation as he continues to adapt to life in the Premier League and the fact he has yet to nail down a position. Having started on the left wing, he was shifted down the middle before being replaced. While his defensive endeavour was not in doubt - the Kop delighted in two strong challenges - there was little going forward save one pass to create a chance for Lewis Koumas. Barcola has yet to provide a goal contribution in six appearances.
Wirtz, meanwhile, would have hoped to build on the confidence of an impressive international break, but instead produced a display more akin to his wayward outing at Bournemouth three weeks ago. There were few surprises when he was sacrificed after the Reds went down to 10 men.
With the injuries showing no signs of relenting in the immediate future, the Reds need Wirtz to start stepping up consistently. It's approaching crunch time for the Germany international's Anfield career.
Gravenberch's misfortune continues
The recurring narrative during the early weeks of Andoni Iraola's tenure has been that of players being revitalised after a difficult previous campaign. Ryan Gravenberch, though, has been one for whom the change in the Liverpool dugout has prompted the reverse effect.
Having come under scrutiny for his poor outing on the opening weekend at Newcastle United, the Dutchman had fallen down the midfield pecking order. But the hamstring injury for Dominik Szoboszlai and absences elsewhere meant Gravenberch started here alongside Alexis Mac Allister at the base of the engine room for the first time this season.
It didn't take long for the 24-year-old to show he was in the mood to grasp his opportunity, twice dropping his shoulder before embarking on trademark slaloming runs while not allowing Manchester City to build up any head of steam. With Mac Allister impressing as the deeper of the duo, it released Gravenberch to push forward when required and he tested City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the second half.
However, it says much of his fortunes this campaign that, after the recipient of a harsh yellow card when tangling with Elliot Anderson, he was shown another for a similarly tame challenge with Jeremy Doku. Gravenberch is now suspended for next weekend's trip to in-form Brentford. Even when taking a step forward, the Netherlands international finds himself going backwards.
Koumas shows up team-mates
Don't tell Lewis Koumas this game didn't matter. The uncertainty over Manchester City's Premier League future had prompted some to query the ultimate relevance of not only this game but all those played by the rule-benders as they await a possible heavy punishment for their misdemeanours.
But for those out on the field, there was every point. And the injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo provided a chance for Koumas to make his first-ever Premier League start. Deserved reward for his contributions already this season under Iraola, the 20-year-old didn't let anybody down with a committed and urgent display that would have benefited from greater protection from referee Chris Kavanagh.
While Koumas hasn't yet developed as a dead-eye marksman at this level - one shot beaten out by Donnarumma was his only effort of note - Liverpool were understandably blunt as an attacking threat. All those absences counted, and the Reds may need Koumas to be a fast learner.
But Iraola will want more of his player to demonstrate the enthusiasm and attitude shown by the Wales international given the manner of the meek surrender following Gravenberch's red card. In that respect, Koumas is already setting the standard.
