It seems no matter what the field, Liverpool and Manchester United are destined to be at loggerheads for all eternity.
Ingrained in the DNA of both North West giants is the scrap for silverware, league position, local superiority, transfer targets and just who is the biggest club in England.
And now they are poised for arguably their most important battle of all - the future direction of their respective clubs.
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During recent years, Liverpool have been the ones setting the example. Whether it be the trophy-laden achievements of Jurgen Klopp's side on the pitch or the continued commercial and infrastructure progress under the guidance of Fenway Sports Group, United supporters, tired at the stagnation under the Glazer family, have cast envious glances down the other end of the East Lancs Road.
But the news United's owners are following in the footsteps of their Liverpool counterparts by putting the club up for sale has brought into sharp focus the attempts of FSG to at the very least attract new investment at Anfield.
It's not often such a prestigious and valuable sporting institution becomes available. So for two to be on the market at the same time will make the search for new money all that more intriguing - and difficult.
Liverpool were valued at £3.7bn by Forbes back in May, United a smidgeon more at £3.9bn. And there are very few businesses or individuals who can even entertain such an outlay, notwithstanding the kind of state-ownership enjoyed by Manchester City, the Premier League permission of which was underlined by the Saudi-backed purchase of Newcastle United last year.
The moral quandary of a similar takeover at Liverpool has already caused much soul-searching between Reds supporters keen for their team to remain competing at the top level but unwilling to have the club fall into the hands of what they would perceive as the wrong type of owner.
If FSG will be mindful of that, so too will the Glazers. And that would further limit the number of prospective interested parties, even if only a share of the respective clubs is on offer.
United historically are the bigger cash machine. But Liverpool are surely the more immediately appealing investment given their far greater stability behind the scenes over a lengthy period of time, even allowing for the recent shifts in the corridors of power.
Whoever takes over at United will also have to undertake the costly redevelopment of an increasingly-tired Old Trafford, once the finest football stadium in the country but now in clear need of a revamp and modernisation.
There are no such issues at Anfield, the capacity of which will be bumped up in excess of 61,000 with the completion of the new Anfield Road stand in the summer. With the Main Stand already rebuilt, there is scope to take another look at both the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop, but the need is hardly pressing. Plus, of course, there is the £50million training complex at Kirkby opened just two years ago.
Any funds would therefore most likely be directed to strengthening the squad, particularly helpful given the eye-watering amounts needed for Liverpool to compete for the standard of player required to keep them among Europe's leading teams.
The Reds can also offer a tried-and-trusted long-term plan regards their coaching and playing staff, with Klopp under contract until 2026 and the core of the squad tied to lengthy deals. By contrast, United boss Erik ten Hag is just at the start of his journey with the Old Trafford side having had four previous managers during Klopp's Anfield tenure.
That United have swiftly followed Liverpool in being put up for sale is perhaps no coincidence. Both have American owners, and the impact of the pandemic, the failed European Super League project, the rejection of Project Big Picture, the struggling pound and, yes, the increased competition from rivals funded by seemingly limitless Middle East riches have no doubt contributed to them deciding now would be a good time to cash in on their assets.
Without doubt, though, is the fortunes of these two great rivals once again remain intrinsically linked. The landscape is poised to change once again.
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