Man City v Liverpool: Is this one of those nights when the wind changes?

Every now and then there comes a match which not only has the potential to define a season but also possesses the power to force a seismic change in the football tide; and Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad tonight is one such game.

Whatever the managers say beforehand — and however animated they are in describing the match as ‘just another opportunity to win three points’ — history tells you that some results really are bigger than others.