It was a measure of the seriousness with which Liverpool principal owner John W Henry took Southamptons allegations against his club of an illegal approach to Virgil van Dijk and the potential consequences that it was the American billionaire who oversaw Wednesdays remarkable climbdown.
The final wording of the apology statement released on Liverpools website was agreed between the two leadership groups at the clubs, which at Anfield meant Henry and Mike Gordon, another key member of Fenway Sports Group.
They dealt directly with Saints chairman Ralph Krueger, and his key aides including Les Reed, the executive director.
It was an unprecedented response by Liverpool to an unprecedented problem.
Southampton were well aware that their player was being tapped up, but when multiple stories emerged this week that he had decided to join Liverpool, the view at St Marys was that enough was enough. Their evidence was so compelling that Liverpool had no option but to back down.
At stake was a Premier League investigation, and the initial complaint sent to the League by Southampton still stands, however if both clubs decide that Liverpools statement is an end to the matter, then there will be no further action. The saga could yet have consequences for key figures at Liverpool with technical director Michael Edwards to be asked how the club got it so wrong.
