Liverpool bitter reaction to £12m transfer kick-started long-running feud with Man City

Just two points separate Liverpool and Man City as we head into 2024. Strap yourselves in, ladies and gentlemen, here we go again.

While Jurgen Klopp’s side might have flailed in both 2020/21 and 2022/23, they have repeatedly emerged as Pep Guardiola’s side’s fiercest rivals since the Spaniard first took over at the Etihad in 2016. Currently top of the Premier League table, they have seemingly put last year’s transitional struggles behind them to re-emerge as such again.

Under Klopp, the Reds have won every major honour going - though every success has, to date, only been singular. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s men can now boast the same after winning the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this month, but while boasting multiple Premier League titles and domestic cup triumphs.

City’s world-conquering exploits in Saudi Arabia have left them trailing in this year’s title-race, courtesy of playing a game less than their rivals. Yet, by playing before both Liverpool and Arsenal in gameweek 20, a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United saw them leapfrog the Gunners into third on goal difference.

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Only Aston Villa’s late 3-2 win at home to Burnley stopped them from claiming second, with Klopp’s side ahead of the Villans on goal difference while boasting a game-in-hand. Meanwhile, they are still two points clear of both City and Arsenal after 19 games played ahead of their meeting with Newcastle United on New Year’s Day.

Progressing into the second half of the season, Liverpool are well aware of what happens next as City look to usurp them. With both sides