Jurgen Klopp perhaps left San Siro with more questions about his Liverpool side than he might have expected following a crucial Champions League win.
Thanks to a hard-fought 2-0 victory in Milan, the Reds are in firm control of their last-16 tie against Inter prior to an Anfield rematch next month.
And that it was secured thanks in no small part to Klopp being able to use the strongest squad he has ever had at his disposal is hardly cause for concern.
But there are some downsides to possessing such an embarrassment of riches, as was evident across the pitch in Italy.
For starters, a midfield blend that had been unavailable to Klopp during Harvey Elliott's lengthy injury absence did not stake a particularly strong claim for more starts here.
Meanwhile, selection decisions in attack were not made any easier by a mixed bag of performances from both starters and subs in forward areas.
There was, though, at least one man who showed why there should be no debate over his worth to a Liverpool team that is hoping to add yet more major honours this season: Virgil van Dijk.
Let's start with the numbers, which show that the Dutchman made more clearances (seven) than any other player on the pitch across the 90 minutes along with an impressive three interceptions.
He also surrendered possession on fewer occasions than any other starting player on either side (four).
But, what those statistics cannot convey is the wider influence Liverpool's number four had on a game that was far from as straightforward as the scoreline suggests.
It is impossible for any data to explain the first-half moment where Lautaro Martinez had Van Dijk isolated in a one-on-one situation but simply decided against trying to pass him because of his reputation.
Nor can the figures sum up the sheer resignation on Edin Dzeko's face when he felt a familiar arm come across him just as he looked to be running in on goal during that same period of the game.
And all this is not to mention the effect Van Dijk has on his team-mates, who would not be able to keep that aggressive high line without their leader there to dictate it.
Every single one of these qualities proved vital on a night when Inter would argue they deserved far more than they got.
Simone Inzaghi deserves credit for a front-footed tactical setup that saw the hosts aggressively harry one of Europe's most feared sides and give them countless uncomfortable moments as a result.
However, that they were unable to capitalise on those opportunities owed much to the man calmly marshalling their opponents' defence even when things weren't quite working perfectly in front of him.
Inter must quickly move on from that disappointment and regroup in time for a return leg that they will hope can provide one of the great comebacks in the history of two-legged European ties.
But the likelihood is that they will not be the last side to come away from facing Liverpool in the Champions League this season wondering what might have been if not for Van Dijk.
Gakpo feels 'more dangerous' for Liverpool under Slot
Cody Gakpo believes he has become a more "dangerous" player after returning to his preferred left-wing role under new Liverpool boss, Arne Slot.
Gakpo, who joined the Reds in January 2023, was often deployed in a central striker role under Jurgen Klopp during his first 18 months at Anfield.
Across his 53 appearances for Liverpool last season, 27 came as a centre forward, with the remaining 26 coming on either flank or in the attacking midfield position.
The Dutchman, however, has registered eight goal contributions (six goals, two assists) in 17 appearances in all competitions this season, all but one of which has come from the left wing.
Gakpo has found the net four times in his last four outings for the Reds, which included a brace against Brighton in the EFL Cup to propel them into the quarter-finals.
Speaking about the switch, he told Men in Blazers: “Before I came to Liverpool I also played as a left-winger. Then I came here, and I started to play more as a central striker.
“At the Euros, I played as a left-winger again. Then this season the new manager came in. I had a talk with him, and he said, ‘You have to focus on the left-winger position.
"This is your position when you come on or when you start.’ Because he said there’s a lot of competition here, so you just have to show yourself. But he said, ‘That is going to be your position.’
“It felt a little bit, for me, like the old me, like what I did at PSV [Eindhoven] as well. I feel really good in this position. I try to show my best to everybody, what I’m capable of.
“I think I come into more one-v-ones now with my face towards the opponent, where I can really go inside and give a cross, shoot or go outside and give a cross – which is more my game, I would say, and where I think I can be really dangerous and help the team the most.”
Liverpool have enjoyed a fine start to the season, sitting top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables heading into the November international break.
Slot has earned 28 points from his first 11 top-flight games in charge (W9 D1 L1), the joint-most by a manager after as many games in the competition along with Guus Hiddink at Chelsea.
The Reds also remain the only side with a 100% record in the Champions League and have edged closer to defending their EFL Cup crown this season.
And Gakpo, who played a part in the Reds' win over Chelsea in the final of that competition last year, is eager for that fighting spirit to help bring more success to the club.
“I see those [as] separate,” he said. “When I’m on the pitch, [I’m] really there to win the game, to show my quality," Gakpo said.
“I think one of my qualities is going inside and going for a goal or maybe going for an assist. As an attacking player, I think that’s also part of the job.
“Outside of the pitch, I tend to be a different guy – it’s more about life and development, mental growth, health growth with family, with friends.
"I just try to be myself and I’m very happy that people speak so nicely of me, so thank you everybody!
“Obviously when you come on the pitch, it’s game on. You have to think a little bit different – maybe not that nice in some ways because you have to win.
"But for me, it will never be personal. Out there, [I’m] just trying to do my best for the club and to win these games for the fans, for myself, for the team.
"When the referee blows the last whistle then the switch flips again and then I’m back to normal again.”
Conte fumes at VAR after 1-1 draw with Inter
Antonio Conte was frustrated that VAR did not reverse a penalty decision against Napoli as they played out a 1-1 draw with Inter on Sunday.
Hakan Calhanoglu failed to convert the spot kick in question late in the game, with the Turkish international having equalised for the hosts after Scott McTominay's opener.
Despite the decision not affecting the result in the end, Conte criticised VAR for not overruling the referee's decision to penalise Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for a foul on Denzel Dumfries.
"Can they [VAR] only intervene when it suits them? A decision from the referee like this can transform a match and VAR cannot do anything about it," Conte told DAZN.
"Either VAR is there to correct errors or it is not. If there is an error, it has to intervene. It really angers me, but it does to all coaches. It has to intervene if there is a mistake.
"If there is VAR, it must be used to correct errors or show the referee situations that he did not see. If it's a clear error, and it was, then why should [referee Maurizio] Mariani be allowed to just do that."
Despite his frustration with refereeing decisions, Conte was satisfied with his team's performance, as they held strong against a spirited second-half display from the Italian champions.
"I said that we would not come here to just be sparring partners against the strongest squad in Serie A, so it was important for us to face them with strength, character, accepting duels all over the field," he said.
"On that score, I am very satisfied. It was not easy to play here. We all know that we are making improvements and working hard, otherwise, you don't come to San Siro twice and also against Juventus without defeat.
"The lads are proving themselves, though, of course, we could've done much, much more in terms of quality today. There were too many errors, a lot of technical errors, but I am sure there will be further improvements."
Napoli's point ensured they stayed top of Serie A heading into the international break, moving them to 26 points in what is shaping up to be a tight title race. Conte's side sit one point clear of Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter and Lazio.
Inzaghi believes Inter deserved win after dominant second half
Simone Inzaghi was proud of Inter's second-half performance but believes they should have come away with all three points from their 1-1 draw with Napoli.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored with a stunning strike to cancel out Scott McTominay's opener for Napoli, but missed a penalty for the first time in eight years.
He had previously never missed a penalty in Serie A, netting 17 in a row before Sunday.
"I congratulated the team, if there was one side that should've won, then it was Inter. The second half was dominated by us," Inzaghi told DAZN.
"We went behind on a set play situation where we should've done better, but we kept our heads and did not allow Napoli practically anything.
"We hit the woodwork twice, missed a penalty, so I don’t know what more we could've done."
While Inter dominated the second half, the strike duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram were largely kept quiet.
Martinez managed just two shots, worth 0.24 expected goals (xG), hitting the target with neither, while Thuram did not manage a single attempt, though Inzaghi was still impressed by their displays.
"They worked hard for the team and kept us solid," Inzaghi said.
"As a coach, I have to leave the result aside and focus on the performance, which was excellent against a quality opponent."
With nearly a third of the Serie A season completed, the title race is shaping up to be tight with Napoli leading the way on 26 points. Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter and Lazio, meanwhile, are all on 25.
"I said this would be a very balanced campaign and that is proving to be true, but I saw a wonderful Inter tonight," Inzaghi said.
"We could probably have made more of our chances, but let us not forget the strength of the side we were facing."
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