Liverpool supporters may not want to dwell on the matter, but there's an increasingly good chance Lionel Messi could be lining up against them in the Premier League this coming season.
With the 33-year-old presently adamant on leaving Barcelona, League Cup winners Manchester City have emerged as clear favourites for his signature, with Pep Guardiola keen to link up once again with the great.
But Messi might well be wary should he return in opposition at Anfield - and not just because of what happened in the Champions League last year.
Today sees the anniversary of when two much-vaunted Argentina internationals - Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa - visited Anfield as part of a promoted Tottenham Hotspur side, only to be on the receiving end of one of the greatest performances Anfield has witnessed from Liverpool.
Back on September 2 1978, the Londoners were thrashed 7-0, a victory culminating in a header from Terry McDermott regarded one of the club's finest goals.
There have, though, been some exceptional top-flight performances from the Reds at home since - and several have come during the modern era.
Liverpool 5-0 Nottingham Forest, April 1988
This was the third time the country's two best teams had met inside a fortnight. Forest had won 2-1 at the City Ground, while the following week the Reds triumphed in the FA Cup semi-final by the same scoreline. And then, four days later, came
this devastating display. John Barnes tormented the Forest backline with John Aldridge scoring twice and Ray Houghton, Gary Gillespie and Peter Beardsley also notching. That Forest's man of the match was goalkeeper Steve Sutton spoke volumes.
"It was the finest exhibition I've seen the whole time I've played and watched the game," said the legendary Tom Finney, watching from the stands. "You couldn't see it bettered anywhere, not even in Brazil."
Liverpool 9-0 Crystal Palace, September 1989
In retrospect, the last great hurrah from the 1980s vintage. Steve Nicol scored the first and last, with Steve McMahon, Ian Rush, Gary Gillespie, Peter Beardsley, John Barnes, Glenn Hysen and, on his final appearance for the club, John Aldridge netting in between. Visiting midfielder Geoff Thomas missed a penalty.
Palace were beaten 2-0 in the reverse fixture later that season, but then came an FA Cup semi-final that signalled the beginning of the end for the Reds as a major force.
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United, November 2001
United were three-time champions but Liverpool were buoyed by their trophy treble the previous campaign. And they tore into the visitors from the first whistle, Emile Heskey never better when terrorising the United back line.
Michael Owen opened the scoring before John Arne Riise almost broke the net with a memorable free-kick, and although David Beckham pulled a goal back, Owen restored the two-goal lead moments later. Gerard Houllier, recuperating from his heart operation, was most pleased.
Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal, February 2014
The pinnacle of the Brendan Rodgers era and the game that gave Liverpool belief they could challenge for the title. Arsenal were top with the Reds eight points adrift, but 20 minutes in the home side were 4-0 up with Martin Skrtel scoring twice and Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge also on target. Sterling netted again after the break before Mikel Arteta slotted a meagre response from the spot.
Despite all the goals, Luis Suarez hitting the post with an outrageous volley remains one of most outstanding moments in recent Premier League history, let alone this match. Still not sure how Kolo Toure missed the rebound, mind.
Liverpool 6-1 Watford, November 2016
A sign of what was to come under Jurgen Klopp. Watford had started the season well but were no match for a Liverpool side in the mood, with Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can scoring before the break. Roberto Firmino, Mane again and Gini Wijnaldum netted in the second half to render Daryl Janmaat's strike mere consolation.
The result put Liverpool top for the first time with Klopp in charge, and demonstrated they were on the right path in the right manner under the German.
Liverpool 4-0 Crystal Palace, June 2020
There was a point where Liverpool feared this game wouldn't happen, such was the talk of null and voiding the season during lockdown. However, their first home fixture after the resumption - albeit without fans - saw the Reds post a statement of why they were running away at the top of the table with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane scoring sumptuous goals.
Barely 24 hours later, Manchester City lost at Chelsea and that was that - Liverpool were champions again.
* Do you agree with the choices or have we missed out your favourite? Let us know in the comments section HERE
