Jurgen Klopp once joked that he would like Pep Guardiola to quit Manchester City but as the Catalan fights to land a sixth Premier League title in seven seasons, it is easy to sense the seriousness within the humour.
Liverpool have been City's most consistent challenger over that period of time and in any other six-year chunk, would have more than the sole trophy in their cabinet.
Klopp has ended campaigns with 92, 97 and 99 points and yet only finished on top in with the latter haul. It was Arsenal who fell short last season, unable to keep pace as City won 12 Premier League games in a row between February and May.
Mikel Arteta's side enjoyed one of their best campaigns in recent memory but it wasn't enough. ALSO READ: Injury boost as 21 players train ahead of Leipzig fixture ALSO READ: Guardiola confirms De Bruyne return date for City City have become a juggernaut under Guardiola, almost inevitably coming out on top despite the constant doubts from outside.