Liverpool conceded two goals in each of their first two games of the season. Not only have they not conceded two in a game since, they have only conceded two in total in the last five matches. It is no coincidence that Ronald Araujo has come in for these games.
It is understandable that the arrival of a 27-year-old defender on loan from Barcelona has not brought the same buzz as the £123m man Bradley Barcola. Nor does Araujo engender the same excitement about his potential that has greeted Jeremy Jacquet.
But there are signs already that his acquisition late in the summer transfer window could prove significant for Liverpool. Araujo is helping to solve a problem position. A centre-back by preference, the Uruguayan has brought balance in the right-back role.
Jeremie Frimpong left Liverpool too open in those first two games of the season. He was removed after Nottingham Forest took the lead midway through the second half at Anfield and has not been seen in Andoni Iraola's Premier League starting line-up since.
Araujo does not merely mirror the work of Milos Kerkez on the opposite flank. He gives Liverpool the option of building in a three and has the instincts to sweep across. His presence makes Iraola's team less vulnerable to the switch of play and from set pieces.
Indeed, Araujo has won 15 aerial duels since the Ipswich game - more than twice as many as any other Liverpool player during that time. Look at his defensive action areas so far this season and it is clear that he is contributing inside his own penalty box.
Within the club, he has impressed with the speed of his adjustment. Speak to those close to him and they suggest that Araujo has been struck by the step up in standards even compared to Barcelona but that he is relishing it, invigorated by the opportunity.
That should be no surprise because this is a player who always thought about the game and been willing to embrace the challenge. Diego Scotti was a senior colleague when Araujo broke through as a teenager at Boston River and has stayed in touch ever since.
"From the first day, he caught my attention," Scotti tells Sky Sports. "I was struck by his personality, his dedication, and the intensity with which he trained. I saw him taking the game very seriously. He was a youngster very interested in learning and in listening.
"Every day, I saw him train with a lot of dedication, which is important in this profession. That was the first thing that surprised me about him. And, as well as his talent, more than anything else, I was surprised by his physical characteristics at such an early age.
"He soon joined the team and it was as if he had been competing for many teams in the top division. Obviously, there were errors. His positioning, when to play and when not to. But they were errors that he quickly corrected. Technically, he improved day by day."
Scotti anticipated his rise. "I had no doubt that he was destined for elite football. He was playing for Uruguay at 20." But going to Barcelona accelerated that development. "At Barcelona, he polished everything. His technique, his control, his passing."
He adds: "When you can combine that with a strong aerial game, his physical qualities, his personality and his attitude… Something that I always liked about him was that he was humble. He would listen to what older players told him. He was always receptive.
"Even now, he is always willing to collaborate. I am personally in charge of the Footballers' Union in Uruguay. He is very attentive to what is going on in our country. He does not forget where he came from. I think that is remarkable. He is a good teammate."
As well as helping Liverpool to tighten up defensively, Araujo has shown that he can make an impact at the other end of the pitch too. Most notably, there was his clever flick that opened up the chance for Dominik Szoboszlai to level it up against Atletico Madrid.
That was an outlier but Araujo has shown himself to be capable in that supporting role. Certainly, he gives Liverpool more defensively than they lose offensively. "Sometimes, because he is a centre-back, we underrate his offensive side," said Iraola that evening.
"He gave a great assist for Dominik Szoboszlai, he made a couple of very good surges from his position. I am very happy with him. He has come with a willingness to show he belongs to this level and I hope we can keep him there because he is in a lovely place."
Scotti is in no doubt that he belongs. In fact, he suggests there is more to come. Tactically, he can handle the offensive and defensive phases," he explains. "And, regarding his position, I have even seen him play as a central midfielder and do it well."
He adds: "He can adapt to all these positions, which obviously gives him an advantage when it comes to integrating into the squad. The coach can count on him." The signs are that Iraola already does. Not Liverpool's biggest summer signing. But maybe the most important.