The real story is surely that, doing the math as they say in the States, that leaves 37 professionals in the reserves, which might be considered a tad excessive for a side that plays just 20 games a season, give or take the odd Liverpool Senior Wheeltappers and Organ Grinders Cup tie.

Further analysis shows that just 15 of these are British, suggesting that the flow of local talent may well be being stemmed by an influx of overseas potential.

Of course Rafa’s views on the quality coming out of the Academy are well known; and in the light of recent events you do have to wonder whether he has sought to prove his point through denying home-grown talent such as Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Adam Hammill their opportunity.

Now he has his way, it’s to be hoped that our apparent obsession with building up squads at all levels with a raft of overseas signings will be replaced by a focus on quality signings which will push us on in the Premier League, while creating space for local talent to come through. Otherwise the first three-figure squad number, as the song goes, can be only a moment away.