It was another trademark Palmer performance at the Bridge on Sunday afternoon with our dynamic playmaker helping to orchestrate the show during our 3-1 win over Liverpool, getting himself back amongst the goals by converting from the spot late on and helping set up our second.

With three crucial Premier League fixtures remaining and a Conference League semi-final second-leg approaching, Palmer’s return to the scoresheet and influential form couldn’t have come at a better time.

‘It is very important,’ Maresca added.

‘I said two or three games ago that if we want to reach the Champions League, then we need Nico [Jackson] and Cole to be scoring. Nico scored against Everton and Cole scored against Liverpool.

‘If we want to be there and finish in the top five, then we need Nico and Cole scoring, so hopefully they can score more goals until the end.’

It wasn't just the converted penalty and creating the second which meant Palmer stood out at the Bridge.

The England international was hugely influential throughout the match and his confidence was highlighted when he beat a Liverpool defender wide left before trying to finish from an acute angle, striking the inside of the post.

Maresca was asked if he was surprised by the effort post-match, replying: ‘He is the kind of player who can do things no one expects. So when he has the ball, I expect anything because he can do anything.’

The Italian has never doubted Palmer's qualities, having initially worked with the forward while Manchester City Under-23s coach, and explained Cole has remained determined in training, continuing his hard work in anticipation of finding the back of the net once again.

‘Cole is happy, for sure, because he scored and we won, but I haven’t seen Cole being any different recently than how he was two or three months ago,’ our head coach explained.

‘We have seen Cole day-by-day and he has been happy and enjoying himself in the sessions.

‘For sure, when he doesn’t score, he’s not happy. He wants to help the team and help the club achieve something important.’