They kept the live stream going for another five minutes, a masterclass in professional deflection from Mac Allister, who answered a few more questions while Leon mostly just nodded and smiled, his mind a million miles away.
"Alright everyone," Mac Allister said finally, "we have to go before the gaffer thinks we've run away to become fashion influencers. Thanks for joining! You'll Never Walk Alone!"
He ended the live stream, and the moment the screen went dark, he turned to Leon, a huge, impressed grin on his face.
"Mate," he said, shaking his head. "Your life is not boring, is it?"
The team bus was buzzing.
The story of "The Chivu Comment" had already spread like wildfire.
"So he's watching you," Virgil van Dijk said from his seat, a low, amused rumble in his voice.
"Good. Let him watch. Let him see what's coming for him."
"I think it was a compliment," Trent Alexander-Arnold argued. "He said the hair reminded him of his playing days. That's respect."
