Although it was a game that ended in a 0:10 win for England, and even though rival San Marino kicked only once towards his goal, Arun Ramsdale was extremely excited at the final whistle of the game that locked up the World Cup qualifiers.
While the European runner-up players modestly celebrated securing first place and getting a ticket to Qatar, the 23-year-old goalkeeper celebrated in the full sense of the word the fact that he had become the 1,265 player to wear the England national team uniform.
"It's crazy, finally!"
He said when he received the traditional hat given to the premier in national uniform, "I am proud of myself and I am sure my family is proud as well."
This exciting moment was a direct continuation of Ramsdale's excellent season opener at Arsenal.
After arriving from Sheffield United for £ 30million in a deal that drew a lot of criticism from fans and commentators, he managed to sneak into the Gunners' first line-up and silence all the critics. Goals, did not score at all and lost in all three games.
Mikel Arteta, Photo: gettyimages
Since Arteta lowered the German to the bench and put in Ramsdale, Arsenal have not been beaten, conceding just four goals in eight rounds and climbing from the bottom of the table to fifth place.
If Ramsdale maintains a clean sheet at Anfield, becoming the first Arsenal goalkeeper since Jens Lehmann not conceding in four consecutive away games, the Gunners will climb over Jürgen Klopp's side and enter the first four.
If that happens, there will be no more doubts about its purchase.
In the summer, there were many who doubted.
Amid all the troubles last year that led Arsenal to eighth place and out of European factories, a goalkeeper does not seem like a top priority.
If anything, it took strikers, midfielders and defenders, but with just 39 assists, the third-best balance after Manchester City and Chelsea, there seemed to be no reason to pour millions on a goalkeeper who has been relegated in his last two seasons.
Dear fans
Still, Arteta insisted.
He watched the goalkeepers' tapes and was impressed by the way he deals with goals he has conceded or with mistakes he has made.
The Spaniard was looking for someone who could add character to his team and not just ability, so he decided to go against the voices claiming it was a waste.
"We needed to understand where we could improve, and how we could shape our character and leadership," he explained, "It was very important to bring people with personalities into the system, and we thought we could benefit from bringing in Ramsdale."
The goalkeeper's personality is evident from the first moment.
He understood with the decision to start the season as assistant goalkeeper, and when he received the team shirt, he was able to connect and direct the defense.
At the same time he became the fan of the fans, who even before the premiere against San Marino demanded from Gareth Southgate to give him the goalkeeper shirt.
But beyond character and personality, Ramsdale has brought Arsenal an equally important thing - points with his own hands.
Although he has played three games less, he has provided 25 shots this season, just two less than the national team goalkeeper and Everton Jordan Pickford, and two more than the Liverpool Allison goalie (who has played ten games).
Compliments from a smile
Above all, the save stood out against Leicester City, where Ramsdale flew in and prevented a free kick by James Madison from getting inside.
In parallel to the world of pioneers, it was a goal in the hairdresser;
One moment that brought the goalkeeper into consciousness and made him the talk of the day.
"I already came to terms with the fact that it was a goal," said Arteta, "I did not understand how he stopped it, it was amazing!", Peter Schmeichel, whose son Caspar was on the losing side of that game, concluded in seven words: In recent years".
Ramsdale Cabinet, Photo: Reuters
Quite a few are responsible for Arsenal's great season, which already includes ten games in a row without a loss in all competitions. Emile Smith Rowe and Buccaneer Sake continue to evolve, Thomas Party lives up to expectations, defensive acquisitions prove themselves, and Pierre-Emerick Obmiang also resets the target. However, there is an impression that above all is Ramsdale, the October player of the Gunners, who in a very short time managed to change the opinion of the experts. "I've never been that wrong about anyone," said Jamie Krager, who was one of the critics of the decision to bring him in this week.
Against Liverpool, the Arsenal goalkeeper has a chance to take another step forward in his breakout season. If he succeeds, it seems that the next time he plays for the team will be against a stronger opponent and in a more important setting.
Also on Saturday: Before the meeting with Arsenal, the attention of Liverpool fans will be directed to Villa Park, where Steven Gerrard will make his debut as Aston Villa coach, who will meet Brighton.
"I am one hundred percent committed to the job and very proud to be here," Gerard said, while dismissing claims that this job is just a transit station on the way to Liverpool.