For 20 years, Manchester United’s success put Liverpool’s failings under the microscope. Now, as the clubs meet this weekend, roles are reversed.

Jürgen Klopp has moved Liverpool so far ahead because rather than buy a team of superstars, he has made a team of superstars.

Klopp did not rebuild by signing players beyond his rivals' means, or because he had financial backing his predecessors or title-challenging managers at other clubs were denied.

There is not a single Liverpool signing who will feature this weekend who Manchester United could not have afforded.

While United went through a period banking on world-renowned players like Paul Pogba from Juventus, Ángel Di María from Real Madrid, Juan Mata from Chelsea, Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich, Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Paris St-Germain, Liverpool assembled a first-choice XI from Hull, Southampton, Newcastle, Sunderland, Hoffenheim, Roma, Charlton, Monaco and the club’s under-18s.

There are those who point towards the club’s biggest deals under Klopp – Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk – and argue they were already established, hence their massive transfer fee.

Since Jurgen Klopp's first summer, Man Utd have outspent Liverpool gross in all but one season. Liverpool have recouped more from sales than United in all but one season.