Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City visit Liverpool on Sunday in a match that is being billed as a potential title decider.
The hype machine was in full gear ahead of the key Sunday match, and it was given more kindling after Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold asserted that the trophies "mean more" to Liverpool than City.
City's Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias are among those who responded to Alexander-Arnold, leaving both managers trying to lower the temperature in what could be the final meeting between Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and City's Pep Guardiola.
City are aiming to become the first-ever four-time repeat English league champions but have spent precious little time in the lead this season in part because of Liverpool's excellent campaign.
Liverpool's Mo Salah was the latest to return to the squad, having made a late appearance off the bench on Thursday in a 5-1 win at Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League round of 16.
Meanwhile, City's star tandem of Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are also in form. Haaland has scored in five of his last eight matches (10 goals total), and De Bruyne has assists in five of his past eight contests (nine total).