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And at a time of the campaign where searching for signs that could point to the eventual title winners becomes an annual pursuit, there's one clear indication of the Reds and City having an advantage over their London rivals - their ability to finish a season strongly.

In the previous five seasons, only once have Liverpool dropped more than six points during the closing 10 games, when they took 20 from the available 30 in 2019/20 having already claimed a runaway championship triumph.

City, Manchester United and Chelsea were able to better Liverpool's figure that term.

And while Klopp's side were not in championship conversation last season, they ended it with 24 points from 30 as they chased down a Champions League qualification berth in vain.

Only City, with 25 points, could better that tally.

That was sufficient for City to claim a fifth title in six years as Arsenal, who were eight points clear with 10 matches to play last term albeit having played one more than City, ended up losing the title by five points after picking up only 15 from the final 30.

While Mikel Arteta's side will hope to have learned from that chastening experience, it did continue a trend under the Spaniard.

In 2021/22, a similar return meant they missed out on the top four, while a better finish of 20 points in the last 10 games still wasn't enough to secure European qualification the previous season.

And in his debut 2019/20 campaign as boss, Arteta's men took 16 points from 30 to finish eighth, although they did claim an FA Cup behind closed doors in that time.

It's worth bearing in mind that Liverpool's habit of powerful sprints to the finishing line have come when they have been juggling Premier League aspirations with those in other competitions, reaching three Champions League finals and an FA Cup final in the last five years.

But it's still instructive as to how difficult it is to keep on winning when the finishing line is in sight.

Not since 2002, when two points covered the top four with 10 games to play, has there been such a close battle for the championship, although the likelihood is at least one of Arsenal, Liverpool and City will fall away, with 1986 the last time more than two teams went into the final weekend harbouring hopes of winning the title.

Liverpool ended up champions that season having won nine of their last 10 league games.
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