It was a moment of brilliance that had the Liverpool squad, gathered on the touchline, roaring their approval after watching the Reds’ new boss conjure a Cruyff-esqueflick to baffle the Harvard XI defenders.

Rodgers was playing in a special training match at Liverpool’s base in Boston against a Harvard XI as part of a Reds side which included Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush and other members of LFC’s backroom staff.

Harvard struck first in the game but the Reds levelled proceedings when Rodgers and Burgess combined.

One of the spectators, a certain Joe Cole, mindful that his comments would be relayed to the manager and his coaches, assured LFC TV that Rodgers had been “brilliant” throughout the match before adding: “But I would have to say that!”

Harvard were soon back in front but as the game drew to a close and the Reds stared defeat in the eye, Fowler came to the rescue.

The Toxteth-born striker burst into the box before going to ground rather easily and calmly getting to his feet to despatch the subsequent penalty and clinch a 2-2 draw.

“Before the game I had a word with referee (LFC’s head of press) Matt McCann,” explained Fowler. “And I warned him that if it was tight at the end and I went down in the area, he should know exactly what to do.”

Brendan Rodgers and the squad were overwhelmed by the passion of the support they witnessed during the game against Toronto FC at the weekend, and if the scenes at a sports shop in Foxborough on Monday are anything to go by, there will be more of the same when Liverpool play on US soil this week.

Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole, Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing were at the Warrior event to sign shirts and pose for photos - and hundreds of fans showed up dressed in red.

Jonathan Fauxbel brought his sons and nephews (pictured), who all play for the Liverpool FSC Five Star Academy in Massachusetts.