The scars of 2014 run sufficiently deep for every Liverpool fan to appreciate the irony of relying on Chelsea to hand them the Premier League title.
Steven Gerrard’s slip, Demba Ba’s finish, Jose Mourinho beating his chest on the Anfield touchline; these are, perhaps, the most painful moments of what has turned into a 30-year wait for a League title.
But those ghosts would be laid to rest by a point for the Blues against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge tonight.
That would ensure Liverpool can no longer be caught at the top and bring three decades of pain to an end in the process.
Not that you would know it from asking Jurgen Klopp and his players about their plans for a potentially momentous evening.
After scoring in last night’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, Mohamed Salah revealed that he intends to play with his young daughter while City is taking on Frank Lampard’s side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, insisted Liverpool’s focus is all on their own meeting with City at the Etihad next Thursday, rather than games between rivals.
And that sentiment was echoed by manager Klopp, who explained that he would watch tonight’s game, not in anticipation of a potential title celebration, but because he hopes to analyze two teams the Reds are scheduled to face before the end of the season.
“I watch the game not to prepare a celebration — I watch the game because we play against City a week later,” said the German.
“So, I have to watch it, especially against Chelsea, who we play as well. This game is a really important game to watch for plenty of reasons.
“Whatever happens in the match, we have no influence on it, so I’m not too interested, to be honest.
“But I am pretty sure anyway that the game next week against Manchester City is a must-watch for each football fan on this planet because whatever will be decided or not two really, really good teams face each other and that will be pretty interesting.”
Liverpool moved to within a touching distance of their first title since 1990 after Crystal Palace were swatted away, thanks to goals from Alexander-Arnold (left, celebrating his goal), Salah, Fabinho, and Sadio Mane.
The Reds are now 23 points clear of City, who have eight matches to play. If Pep Guardiola’s team does win tonight, Liverpool can win the title against City at the Etihad a week today.
Victory last night means Liverpool are on course to be crowned champions by the biggest-ever margin of victory, while they can also finish with a record 107 points.
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