Liverpool vs Chelsea in August is a bit like having steak for breakfast.
Mouthwatering? Yes, but are we ready for it?
After a couple of tasty appetisers, with juicy new signings, fans back, and less interference from VAR, the answer has to be: “Bring it on. Well done, with lots of chips.”
Now that the Big Six has slimmed down to the Fancied Four – at least as far as the title is concerned – the half-past midnight (00.30am Sunday in Malaysia) top of the bill clash at Anfield is a genuine super-heavyweight affair.
According to most observers, the two Manchester clubs are the only other contenders, so even at this early stage, it is a chance to lay down a marker.
The clubs have identical records with six points, five goals and none conceded. They also have German managers, but there the similarities end.
In fact, they could not be more different which always adds spice to their often-feisty encounters.
People’s club vs Plastic club, say Liverpool fans. And it doesn’t just refer to the plastic flags left on Stamford Bridge seats at one of their Champions League clashes.
It means that Chelsea are seen as artificial, having been transformed by Roman Abramovich’s billions since 2003.
Blues counter that Liverpool are jealous and it’s true that the search for their own sugar daddy took the Reds from Gulf sheikhs to American cowboys, Hicks and Gillett, and almost oblivion.
Many Reds are still envious of the Russian’s cash, having spent only £36m in this window on a reserve centreback.
And they are still struggling to cover Ibrahima Konate’s fee by selling off fringe players.
Chelsea have changed the landscape with their £97.5m capture of Romelu Lukaku.
And are now closing on £42m centreback Jules Kounde from Seville.
Jurgen Klopp has had to explain yet again that Liverpool can’t splash the cash like oligarch or state-owned rivals.
Blues point to the £76m spent on Virgil van Dijk and £56m on Alisson Becker, a defender and goalkeeper, but that was when the Reds were riding high and winning prize money.
Anyhow, all eyes will be on the two most expensive recruits, the Irresistible Force of Lukaku and the Immovable Object of Van Dijk.
The Reds will be glad to have their giant Dutchman back having seen what Lukaku did to Arsenal’s defence last week and what was done to their own makeshift one by lesser lights last season.
They will hope that Van Dijk is ready for what is likely to be his biggest and most bruising challenge of the season.
Not that the Belgian is a dirty player: just a force of nature.
If the Liverpool linchpin can keep his opponent quiet it will augur well for the rest of the campaign.
Once again, he is likely to be partnered by the under-rated Joel Matip with Joe Gomez yet to start after his own lengthy absence through injury.
That Liverpool lost all three centrebacks for most of last season tells you they did well to come third.
It’s now 12 games unbeaten in the league with only two draws for Klopp’s resurgent side.
The question is: can they regain their former mojo?
Klopp probably didn’t expect one of his challengers to be the man who followed in his footsteps at both Mainz and Dortmund, and to whom he was an early mentor.
Unsurprisingly, Thomas Tuchel is also an advocate of the pressing game and their tactical battle will be fascinating.
Klopp didn’t want to lose Gini Wijnaldum but has no shortage of candidates to replace him: two experienced internationals and two highly-promising youngsters.
This must surely be Last Chance Saloon time for Naby Keita who, as usual, has impressed in pre-season, while Thiago Alcantara also has lofty expectations to live up to.
Curtis Jones has already shown he has a bright future, while getting his chance last week was Harvey Elliott, a precocious 16-year-old when signed from Fulham two years ago.
After a sensational season on loan at Blackburn, he’s now spoken of as the next wonder kid.
But goals are the main concern for Kopites who were relieved to see both Bobby Firmino and Sadio Mane get on the scoresheet against Burnley.
These two not only mislaid their shooting boots, they were shadows of their former selves in 2020-21.
Chelsea did not score enough either with Timo Werner, who came close to joining Liverpool, bagging a paltry six in 37 appearances, the main culprit.
But the situation was remedied in the only way an oligarch can – with a cheque for almost £100m for Lukaku’s second coming.
As a callow youth, Lukaku failed to make an impact the first time but was in good company with Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah also being prematurely jettisoned.
At least now, the Blues have rectified one of those blunders.
The Belgian has scored 64 in 98 games for his country and has improved out of all recognition since that early spell in London when he failed to break his duck in 10.
But Salah, who notched just two in 13 games at the Bridge, will expect to run him close for the Golden Boot award.
This weekend, though, the most eagerly-awaited duel is between Lukaku and Van Dijk. It could well decide this clash of the Teutons.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.