Luis Suarez's influence is still helping Liverpool get one over on rivals Everton.
The Uruguayan left Anfield for Barcelona in 2014 but made the move to Atletico Madrid in 2020, where he helped fire Diego Simeone and co to the La Liga title in his first year the Wanda Metropolitano.
A fan favourite during his time on Merseyside, Suarez made himself into one of the world's best strikers over and was heavily disliked by rival clubs like the Toffees.
Seven years after leaving, the 34-year-old is still continuing to frustrate them, particularly when it comes to transfer targets.
Suarez was a driving force behind an Everton target who is said to have rejected both them and Leeds United this summer in favour of a move to Madrid.
New Atletico forward Matheus Cunha has revealed that playing with the 13-14 Premier League Player of the Year was what attracted him to Spain after starring for Brazil in their Olympics triumph following a productive season with Hertha Berlin.
Not an out-and-out striker, the 22-year-old's playmaking ability makes up for his lack of a prolific goalscoring record.
It was no surprise the top-flight pair were interested, but Suarez made the difference.
"I opted for Atletico Madrid because every player wants to be at the highest level in world football, play in the best competitions and compete against the best players," Cunha told Mundo Deportivo.
"I think Atletico gives me that – I will be at the highest level, playing with the best players in the world, and that includes Luis Suarez.
He added: "The most important thing is to learn as much as possible at Atletico because all that learning helps me to stay in the national team."
Unfortunately for Cunha, he is soon set to have fierce competition for his place playing just off Suarez.
Atletico are on the verge of bringing Antoine Griezmann back to the Spanish capital and are capitalising on Barcelona's perilous financial state just as they did by signing Suarez 12 months ago.
Simeone recently issued a classy response when asked about a potential move, telling Marca, via Get Football News France : "I want the best for him and I hope he will succeed at Barcelona.
"He is at an extraordinary club and Antoine is a complete player," the Argentine manager said.
"At EURO 2020, he again proved he can bring a lot [to a team] regardless of his positioning. But today, he is not with us. I only wish the best for a player who gave me everything."
Meanwhile, on a busy deadline day in Madrid due to Real signing French sensation Edouardo Camavinga, Saul Niguez is set to leave Simeone and co behind to join Chelsea on an initial loan basis.
With their own cross-city rivals experiencing a rocky start to life again under Carlo Ancelotti, Suarez could once again fire Los Colchoneros to the title.
