They are the heavyweights who will be slugging it out at the top all season long - and we’re not just talking about Liverpool and Manchester City this time.
Liverpool do look fitter, sharper and further down the road in their pre-season preparations than City. But, on this evidence, the story will also be about Darwin Nunez up against Erling Haaland in the battle of the new big-money strikers.
Nunez was sensational. He scored, won a penalty and his movement plus mobility for a 6ft 2in target man was so eye-catching that it is no wonder the Liverpool love him already. Haaland, meanwhile, was THE striker everyone wanted, City got him and yet the £51m Norway star could not get on the scoresheet and even missed a sitter at the end.
