As he won the ball back, Mateo spotted Aubameyang making a run down the right flank. The pass required not just vision but the physical strength to execute it while being challenged by two opponents who were trying to prevent the quick transition.
Using the core stability that Mueller had drilled into him, he maintained his balance and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball that split the defense and found Aubameyang in stride.
The Gabonese striker's pace did the rest, carrying him clear of the defense before finishing with characteristic composure. But as the team celebrated, it was Mateo's contribution that drew the most attention from the coaching staff and his teammates.
"That's what we've been working toward," Klopp observed from the sideline, his voice carrying deep satisfaction. "The tackle, the immediate transition, the physical strength to execute under pressure he's becoming a complete player."