The figure of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum looms large over the Dubai skyline.
The ruler of Dubai can be seen fastened onto various grandiose buildings en route in from the Emirate State's international airport and for those who have been at Liverpool long enough, the image of the region's Emir offers a fleeting reminder of what might have been at Anfield in another world.
It was back in 2006 when Dubai International Capital attempted to purchase the keys to the Shankly Gates from then-chairman David Moores, before the plug was eventually pulled and attention was turned to Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
