How Man City and Liverpool rivalry could change over the next few seasons

After once again going toe-to-toe in the Premier League title race and meeting in three thrilling fixtures this season, there is no doubt that Manchester City and Liverpool share a rivalry that defines the current era of English football.

Both are brilliant teams led by two of the best managers in the world, but as the saying goes, standing still in football is the same as going backwards.

Both City and Liverpool will make changes to their playing personnel over the summer, with Guardiola and Klopp no-doubt making tactical tweaks too. As Liverpool look to win a second Premier League title while City look to retain their crown — and win a first Champions League crown — the rivalry that has developed between the two could change. But how so?

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The Haaland factor

City will likely make more off-season signings than Liverpool, the headline act being Erling Haaland. City have largely played without a striker over the past two seasons, but after failing to land Harry Kane last summer they have gone out and signed the elite striker Guardiola craved.

While City still won the league — scoring 99 goals along the way — without an elite goal-scorer, it was in the bigger games that the absence of one was felt most.

In both 2-2 draws with Liverpool this season, City spurned countless opportunities to put the result beyond doubt. That was especially the case when the sides met at the Etihad in April, with Guardiola admitting that the Blues had left their opponents "alive."

Haaland will bring clinical finishing to City, but he might also encourage Liverpool to sign a new striker of their own. With Sadio Mane expected to join Bayern Munich and