First came Paul Merson's hot take, swiftly followed by Michael Dawson before the biggest slap in the face was provided by Rio Ferdinand.
Each time, as the players-turned-pundits gave their views on Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential move to Real Madrid, Liverpool supporters were told how they should be reacting to the developments.
"I think the fans should applaud him [and] appreciate what he's given to Liverpool," suggested Merson before Dawson followed up with: "I think Liverpool fans should be very happy for him. He's given everything for that club and I think he deserves that move."
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Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand, most gallingly, waded into the debate by offering similar sentiments on how a fanbase of a club he didn't play for should be behaving.
"You didn't pay a penny for him," droned Ferdinand. "He came through your academy. He's one of your own and he won it all. You should be saying: 'You know what, I'd love him to stay but well done (claps).' You should be clapping him off and saying we'll give you a hero's welcome when you return."
There are many shades of grey to this particular Liverpool subplot and an ocean's depth of nuance to a situation that leaves a lifelong Reds supporter and vice-captain of one of the finest squads in decades edging ever nearer to a move to Real Madrid as a free agent.
However Liverpool supporters feel about that prospect unfolding later this year is entirely their prerogative. It's accurate and important to reflect that, as things stand, Alexander-Arnold's Anfield departure has not been confirmed and the club themselves have yet to be informed by Real Madrid, as they are obligated to, that an agreement has been reached.
But if, as many expect, the West Derby-born defender does walk away at the end of his contract, there will be many views that chime with one another among the club's sprawling, worldwide fanbase and there will be some that will clang in contrast.
However fans feel, though, won't be dictated by the demands of the likes of Merson, Dawson and more specifically Ferdinand, whose calls for Reds fans to adopt the stance of proud parents at the sight of Alexander-Arnold joining the Galacticos of Madrid are so out of tune with how many feel on Merseyside.
For some, there will be a smattering of pride at seeing a young man from the city expand his horizons and firmly grasp what is something of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, while others will sneer at the idea of turning down your boyhood club in search of pastures new.
But whatever of the two broad stances are taken, Reds supporters need not have their moral compasses guided by the whims of ex-players who have not been football fans in the purest sense since their formative years.
Liverpool fans, often held up as some of the most knowledgeable around, need no advice on how to think from the likes of Merson, Dawson and certainly not Ferdinand, whose United allegiances see him treated with the same sort of suspicion reserved for Gary Neville from Reds followers.
If or maybe when the time comes that Alexander-Arnold shuffles off the Spanish capital, the debate will rage and the discourse will be intense. But rest assured, there won't be a single supporter who will be gleaning their own opinion from what those who aren't associated with the club think about it all.
