One of the enduring images from Liverpool's statement 2-0 win at Man City in February was of Dominik Szoboszlai collapsing to his knees in exhaustion at the full-time whistle.

The midfielder, who returns to the Etihad with the champions on Super Sunday, had just turned in a virtuoso, lung-busting display - no Liverpool player covered more than his 11.54km that afternoon - creating Mohamed Salah's opener after a cleverly-worked short-corner routine, before doubling the visitors' lead with a cool finish from his more advanced role.

Head coach Arne Slot changed his formation to "play with two No 10s", one of who was the versatile Hungarian, a tactical masterstroke behind the win that extended Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points and saw them all but crowned champions.

Image: Dominik Szoboszlai at full time at the Etihad in February

When, two months later, the title was confirmed, it was one built on the foundations of a new-look midfield comprising Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, the trio signed two years earlier by Jurgen Klopp after the Reds had decided to pull out of the running for...