BetFred owner Fred Done could well be regretting his decision to pay out on Manchester City becoming Premier League champions for the 2021/22 season back in December.
Pep Guardiola's side made the most of Liverpool losing to Leicester and being held to draws by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the final month of 2021, boasting an eight-point lead after beating Brentford 1-0 on December 29.
Even before this match at the home of the Bees was played, though, one man was convinced the title was done and dusted - Liverpool were deemed well and truly out of the running.
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Indeed, Done had decided to reward punters who had placed bets with his company for the Sky Blues to secure top spot even before a ball had been kicked in the match between Brentford and City - a decision which cost him in the region of £750,000.
"I think it's all over," he said ahead of the match.
"They scored six on Saturday, four against Newcastle, seven against Leeds and, in my opinion, they've got the current best manager in the world. I have paid out on City. If you backed City with me, go and get paid now online or in one of my shops. I am paying out on City," he continued.
"It's going to cost me towards £750,000, but all the City fans can go and celebrate with champagne on New Years Eve. Go and get your dough City fans."
This could well come back to haunt him, however, as Jurgen Klopp's side close in on the Citizens. The Reds secured a 2-0 win over Arsenal to ramp up the pressure at the top of the table. It's safe to say that this race is far from finished.
Should Liverpool go all the way, this would not be the first time Done has been stung by his own actions. BetFred became the first bookmaker to offer winnings to customers prior to a side confirming their status as champions - a decision that backfired in 1998. The company lost in the region of £500,000 after being convinced Manchester United would come out on top, though Arsenal were the eventual winners by a single point.
And Done was again stung by United in 2012 after placing faith in Sir Alex Ferguson's side, only for Sergio Aguero to famously snatch the title away from their local rivals on the final day of the season.
