When such a rational and independent judge as Ian St John allows himself a smile and discreet little jab in the air, it gives an extra dimension to the significance of Liverpool's first hat-trick of wins this season.
The display in the second half was something akin to the days, when Liverpool won titles and cups for fun. Even George Graham, whose Leeds United had not been beaten for seven games and have become increasingly difficult to beat, had to admit maybe with a tinge of envy: "Liverpool played some good stuff in the second half and got what they deserved. They scored the goal they needed early and took it from there."
Exactly where Liverpool go now will be answered in the New Year after often promising much only to achieve little this season, certainly in the way of the consistency of teams St John graced to launch the Anfield revolution under Bill Shankly.
The win takes Liverpool into fourth place with a game in hand, but still 12 points behind Manchester United who they visit on April 11th.
At least Liverpool's seventh win at Anfield, where three defeats so far this season and three last, have undermined the chances of seriously challenging United, is a "nudge-nudge" for Alex Ferguson.
Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, had every reason to look anxious when he stalked the touch-line despite his team having finally taken the lead in the 46th minute.
The match-transforming goal rewarded the sharp-shooting and pace of Michael Owen (his third in three games and 10th of the season) and the build-up of Steve Harkness and Bjorn Tore Kvarame as much as the indecision by Robertson and Robert Molenaar.
Robbie Fowler sharpened his appetite by rolling in the second courtesy of Steve McManaman and tapped in the third seven minutes from the end when Owen scorched past Rod Wallace and Molenaar.
Leeds United had been spared an earlier challenge to change format by what would rate high as the miss of the season by Jason McAteer.
After taking McManaman's return pass in his stride, McAteer sprinted a full 30 yards leaving three defenders `for dead' in the 24th minute. Then, eight yards out, he looked up to identify the target - and shot over the crossbar. "The trouble was he stopped to think," said one supporter, saddened that the chance did not fall to either Owen or Fowler. Such master marksmen don't need to look for the target. They know where it is.
David James had one tame header from David Wetherall to save, which he threw out with penetrating pace to have a hand in the second goal and now awaits his fate following the signing of American Brad Friedel.
Unless the new arrival plays 75 per cent of the remaining matches, his career and Liverpool's fee of £1 million will be in the melting pot.
Though the rest of the team presumably picks itself, the outcome of the James/Friedel issue at Newcastle United tomorrow will be a teasing question for Roy Evans. Presumably, he must pick Friedel at a time when things are going well for James - and Liverpool.
Liverpool: James, Kvarme, McAteer, McManaman, Leonhardsen, Fowler (Riedle 85), Redknapp (Berger 85), Harkness, Ince (Carragher 85), Owen, Matteo. Subs Not Used: Babb, Friedel. Goals: Owen 46, Fowler 79, 83.
Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Robertson, Haaland, Wetherall, Wallace, Hasselbaink, Ribeiro, Hopkin, Halle, Molenaar. Subs Not Used: Bowyer, Beeney, Lilley, Kewell, Maybury. Booked: Ribeiro. Goals: Haaland 84.
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).
