You could say that it is about to begin, but really it has just continued. Not the seemingly never-ending football season, which is set to ‘restart’ with Sunday’s Community Shield at Wembley, but rather the rivalry between its participants that has developed from one that was purely sporting to something with a lot more spike.

Pre-season preparations have already seen Manchester City staff privately restate complaints about the more favourable media coverage they believe Liverpool receive. Pre-season press conferences have meanwhile seen Jurgen Klopp publicly reference the champions, or rather Liverpool’s effect on them.

“I don’t think they would have got 98 points if we hadn’t been around,” the German argued.

That is someway debatable, since City got 100 points the previous season when Liverpool were nowhere close to them, and it feels far more true that the champions brought out much more in the challengers. Guardiola argued this himself in April, while someway reinforcing Klopp's own point.

“This standard was last season, we helped Liverpool to achieve it and Liverpool helped us to keep going, so thanks to Liverpool we are competing.”

Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings How did we rate Manchester City's players and Pep Guardiola during the 2018-19 season? AFP/Getty Images Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Ederson - 8.5/10 Staked his claim to be the Premier League’s best goalkeeper with an impressive second season. Distribution always highlighted, but does the basics of goalkeeping brilliantly too. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Aro Muric - 7/10 Stepped into Ederson’s shoes for the majority of the victorious EFL Cup campaign and proved to be an able deputy. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Kyle Walker - 6/10 Not as impressive as last season and, being almost 29-years-old, he is at risk of competition from a fresher, younger model next season. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Danilo - 6/10 Dependable when called upon, the full-back’s ability to play on either side of defence is also a useful attribute. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Aymeric Laporte - 9.5/10 Superb. A near ever-present who fits the profile of a Guardiola centre-half perfectly and was adept at filling in a left-back if required. Even scored a number of important goals. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Vincent Kompany - 8/10 A fine farewell from the club captain. What better note to end 11 years of service on than that goal against Leicester? Impressed during the run-in too. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings John Stones - 6/10 Began the campaign as Laporte’s first-choice partner, yet slipped down the pecking order and was not even in the squad for the Old Trafford derby. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Nicolas Otamendi - 6/10 Did well last year but lost his regular starting place this season, playing just no more than four consecutive league games. Could return to Spain in the summer. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Benjamin Mendy - 4/10 A second season spoiled by injury, but whereas Mendy had credit in the bank this time last year, disciplinary issues and questions over his attitude mean he is out of favour. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Oleksandr Zinchenko - 8/10 Deserves immense credit for stepping in at left-back in Mendy’s absence and rarely letting City down. Guardiola is delighted with the Ukrainian’s dedication. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Fabian Delph - 5/10 After filling in at left-back so well last season, seemed to lose Guardiola’s trust this year. Seemed to make a costly mistake on the rare occasions he was given an opportunity. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Fernandinho - 8.5/10 Older than Kompany and deployed in a more demanding role but still consistently excellent. Missed while injured over difficult December. Performance in win over Liverpool a highlight. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Ilkay Gundogan - 8/10 Easily underappreciated but chipped in with several excellent performances during the title run-in. Tying him down to a new contract would be wise. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Phil Foden - 7/10 Continued his development with a handful of starts towards the end of the campaign, scoring the only goal in the crucial league win over Tottenham. EPA Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Kevin De Bruyne - 6/10 A difficult year for City’s best player, whose season was interrupted by two serious knee ligament injuries and other niggles. He will be back. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings David Silva - 6/10 The first signs that he is not the force he once was? Silva failed to scale his usual heights and is probably no longer part of Guardiola’s first-choice midfield. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Bernardo Silva - 9.5/10 Simply brilliant. Always earmarked as a replacement for his namesake, he has surpassed him in the pecking order after a making his influence felt in almost every game he played. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Leroy Sané - 7/10 The lows outweighed the highs. Scored a crucial goal against Liverpool but yet to establish himself in Guardiola’s thinking and now faces an uncertain future. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Raheem Sterling - 9/10 A shining light on and off the pitch, Sterling built on the massive strides he made last season. With Guardiola’s help, he has become one of the deadliest in front of goal in Europe. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Riyad Mahrez - 6/10 A difficult first year at the club for City’s record signing. The Anfield penalty miss could have proved costly but a goal at Brighton on the final day made up for it. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Sergio Aguero - 9/10 32 goals in all competitions tells it all. Aguero may now be the wrong side of 30 but he is also more attuned to what Guardiola wants than ever before. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Gabriel Jesus - 5/10 Previously a rival to Aguero for a starting spot, he is now most certainly an understudy. Difficulties settling down in Manchester may have contributed to patchy form. Getty Manchester City 2018-19 player ratings Pep Guardiola - 9/10 Emerged out from a difficult Christmas period to win 14 striaght league matches and win the title. 198 points over two seasons is extraordinary. EPA

That, however, reflects something that is much less debatable. The City-Liverpool rivalry has reached that stage of intensity where they push each other further and thereby bring out the best in each other. At least on the pitch.

If that continues, the Community Shield might not just launch the new season, but also serve as confirmation of the new top-table rivalry that runs the English game and one of a storied lineage that really elevates it.

That between the new City and the old Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United didn’t really last long enough, so Liverpool-City would be the first since United and Chelsea 2006-11, with a touch of the rancour of United-Arsenal 1998-2005, to follow on from Liverpool-Everton 1984-89, Liverpool-Nottingham Forest 1977-80 and Leeds United-Derby County 1971-75.

It obviously has a long way to go to get such levels, especially since Liverpool almost took everyone by surprise with the extent of their surge last season, and the big question over their campaign is whether they can get anywhere close to that 2018-19 level.

The key, however, is that it right now looks unlikely anyone else can get close.

That is ultimately how this rivalry has come about. In a football world increasingly shaped by the size of City’s resources, and the gravitational pull around that and Guardiola, Liverpool have displayed the best response. They have adapted accordingly, becoming one of the best-run clubs, and - as important as anything - one of the best at recruitment.

It is one quality they do share with City, that has put both so far ahead (https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/liverpool-man-city-transfer-news-signings-well-run-clubs-manchester-united-arsenal-chelsea-a9011701.html). The two clubs have instilled singularly defined ways of playing, which means they know within five minutes of watching a potential transfer target whether he fits into their football.

Put one way, it means they avoid they sort of situation Manchester United have got themselves into this week, where they have been negotiating over a star in Paolo Dybala who they may not completely need. That just wouldn’t happen at either of these clubs. They have no need for solve-all saviour signings. They already work so well they just get what they specifically need. Rodri and Virgil van Dijk are examples of that, the very fact they fit so well only amplifying their impact.

Rodri is a sensible signing for City (Reuters)

Put bluntly, then, it means these two clubs minimise mistakes in the market while maximising their football. Everything flows from that, including some of the best performance levels the Premier League has seen for some time.

It only adds to the rivalry that those football styles are so different, yet both are at the very forefront of how the game is played. Possession and pressing have brought the two major tactical leaps over the last decade, and Guardiola and Klopp have led on them, with the two necessarily influencing each other. The orchestra against heavy metal was how it used to be branded. It is no longer so simplistic, and there are a lot of blurred lines, but the remaining differences have led to some games of gloriously intricate tactics.

Such philosophical contrasts represent another element that properly elevates a rivalry, and it has certainly elevated their games - with that really starting in January 2018.

That was when Liverpool became the first team that season to beat City in the league with a rousing 4-3, but also the first to make them actually feel well beaten.

Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings How did we rate Liverpool's players and Jurgen Klopp during the 2018-19 campaign? AFP/Getty Images Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Alisson Becker - 8/10 A few nervous moments here and his cavalier approach tempts fate slightly too often, but the £65m signing from Roma has been a marked upgrade on his predecessors. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Simon Mignolet - 6/10 Played just twice, in two domestic cup defeats, but Mignolet has been an exemplary dressing room influence despite a year spent in Alisson’s shadow. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Trent Alexander-Arnold - 9/10 His 13 assists from right-back set a new record for a defender in Premier League history. Still just 20-years-old, yet already one of the world’s best in his position. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Virgil van Dijk - 9.5/10 The PFA Player of the Year was a deserving winner, having barely had an off day since August. His transformative effect on Liverpool’s defence cannot be underestimated. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Joe Gomez - 7/10 Excellent in the first half of the campaign as Van Dijk’s partner in central defence, unfortunate to then break his leg and miss much of the remainder. Reuters Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Dejan Lovren - 6/10 Never disgraced himself but injury and the form of others have demoted Lovren from Liverpool’s second-choice centre-back to their fourth. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Joel Matip - 8/10 Stepped in to partner Van Dijk in the second half of the campaign and defied his critics. His performance in the win over Barcelona was particularly good. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Andrew Robertson - 9/10 The best full-back in the Premier League over the last 18 months. His work rate, delivery and sheer tenacity are exceptional. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Alberto Moreno - 4/10 Little more than cover for Robertson, he stepped in on occasion without causing chaos. Will leave Anfield when his contract expires this summer. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Fabinho - 8/10 Took time to adapt to Klopp’s style and the rigours of English football but now appears right at home. His snarling display against Barcelona was a highlight. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Naby Keita - 6/10 A qualified disappointment. Not yet lived up to great expectations, but there have been enough moments of promise to suggest he will have a better second season. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Jordan Henderson - 8/10 The much-maligned captain has shown why he has the trust of many at Anfield. More effective when he was moved out of holding midfield and further forward during the run-in. AFP/Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings James Milner - 7/10 33-years-old, yet shows few signs of fading out. A player for the big moments, he was excellent in the victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Getty Images Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - N/A Limited to only two appearances due to the serious knee injury which was supposed to prevent him from playing a single minute this season. Will hope to stay fit next year. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Georginio Wijnaldum - 8/10 Quietly excellent, keeping Liverpool’s midfield ticking over and winning possession back when required. Chipped in with big goals against Cardiff and Barcelona. Reuters Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Adam Lallana - 4/10 Most certainly on the fringes now after two seasons without consistent playing time. Impressed in some cameos, not in others. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Xherdan Shaqiri - 6/10 Appeared to be an ideal impact substitute in the first half of the campaign, but his form tailed off and then so did the first-team opportunities. Origi now seems to be preferred. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Sadio Mané - 9/10 The finest season of career to date. Stepped into Salah’s shoes when the Egyptian’s scoring dipped, ensuring Liverpool’s front-line lost very little potency. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Mohamed Salah - 8/10 It was always going to be difficult to match last year, but Salah came close. 26 goals and 13 assists in all competitions is a brilliant return. AFP/Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Roberto Firmino - 8/10 Another who did not always reach the heights of last year but still the finest practitioner of the ‘false nine’ role in the Premier League. Reuters Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Divock Origi - 8/10 Only played 21 times, only scored seven times but made an impact that will save his Anfield career. Goals against Everton, Barcelona and Newcastle were all huge. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Daniel Sturridge - 6/10 On his way out this summer, and performances later in the season showed why, but enjoyed a excellent September and scored that brilliant, late equaliser at Chelsea. Getty Liverpool 2018-19 player ratings Jurgen Klopp - 9/10 Made the most of the resources at his disposal, recorded a huge points total, yet fell just short of the title. Getty

That was not the case with Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback, or any of the four defeats last season. Guardiola could point to a certain amount of bad luck or bad form in all of those games, in a way that just occasionally happens. Not so with Liverpool. Guardiola could only point to a better team on the day.

The two Champions League quarter-finals in 2017-18 further fostered this, especially given the emphatic nature of Liverpool’s opening 3-0. That had such an impact on Guardiola, and played on his own mind so much, that it even influenced his thinking on the surprisingly tepid first-leg defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the same stage last season. It isn’t an exaggeration to say - and thereby illustrate the point - that Klopp’s Liverpool have given the Catalan more to think about than anyone else during his time at City.

So much for him and Jose Mourinho occupying the same town. Only one club has come close to occupying the same space.

Those two Champions League games, however, also fostered something else. The furore around the attack on City’s bus created a genuine and growing animosity between supporters, of the type that does add emotional depth to derbies, but can reduce other elements to baser levels.

The controversy over City staff singing the “battered in the streets” chant was part of that, as have been tedious debates over authenticity, history and the correct way to celebrate. Some of this has represented a very social media-age rivalry, but that doesn't make it any less real.

The fact that both clubs last season won the major trophy the other wanted only added another twist to all this, if also serving to further illustrate their supremacy.

The destination of those trophies illustrated something else, too. City, as the league champions, are the better team - even if by the minimum of one point. But that points to something crucial to the future of this rivalry.

All evidence suggests that 95-points-plus is City’s level under Guardiola, and that they are likely to repeat it.

We don’t know if that’s the case with Liverpool. The feeling remains that they had to push themselves to the absolute limit to keep up with City. A theme of pre-season - especially since they haven’t sought to improve through a major signing - is the question of whether Liverpool can possibly sustain that level. Logic - fortified by underlying stats, analytics and base fatigue as all of their frontline have had tournament summers - suggest they will drop off significantly.

Then again, many thought similar last season. That they couldn't keep it up. That they'd eventually fall away. And yet - improbably - they kept going.

But that is also why this season’s curtain-raiser may have more significance than that. It may be important to Liverpool making a statement, and setting that pace. They can’t show they have dropped off. That would set the wrong tone.

Last season proved that, with City around, even draws are near-fatal. So Liverpool need to start with a performance that again suggests they can win almost every game.

It will similarly illustrate that this rivalry is here to stay, because Liverpool are here to stay.

It does have all the ingredients. It now has a proper recent history, which has created a spark, and proper emotion - not unlike Leeds United and Derby County in the 1970s.

It has proper philosophical differences enriching all of that, while helping create two utterly brilliant and distinctive football teams - not unlike Arsenal and United in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

It thereby has truly top-class football, of the type to match and maybe beat any previous rivalry, even if that has obviously conditioned by the far greater concentration of money at the top end of the game.

But the fact they have still pulled so far clear of the rest of the current top six means it’s not just about that, and it’s consequently become a fixture with more meaning.

It now just needs that extra fire to ignite those ingredients, to really get this cooking.