Manchester United look set to be forced into their most humiliating admission yet as Liverpool battle it out with the Red Devils' 'noisy neighbours' City for the Premier League title by trying to copy Anfield chiefs' transfer strategy as the template to revive their flagging fortunes.
When Alex Ferguson first arrived at Old Trafford, old foes Liverpool were English football's dominant force.
The Scot made it his ambition to knock the Reds off what he called their “f****** perch” – a goal he would eventually achieve by securing Premier League titles across a record-breaking reign which saw United overhaul Liverpool in the all-time League Championship stakes, moving 20-18 ahead.
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However, with United having failed to add to that total since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, Jurgen Klopp's side who have lost just once in the Premier League all season look like taking current reigning champions City to the wire in what has arguably been the most intense title race in the competition's history.
Whether Liverpool ultimately do lift the Premier League trophy or not next month, they now looked well-placed to challenge for more major honours in the seasons ahead and United bosses are begrudgingly admitting through gritted teeth they would like to do the same.
ESPN senior football writer Mark Ogden reveals that: “Off the pitch, and in the United boardroom, there is admiration for the manner in which Liverpool have rebuilt to become a major force under Jurgen Klopp.
“Sources have told ESPN FC that the patience displayed by the Anfield hierarchy during Klopp's early months in charge and the successful recruitment structure put in place by Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's American owners, have been identified by Woodward and United's Florida-based owners, the Glazer family, as the model to emulate in order to restore United to the summit of the game.”
