Manchester City scored 106 goals and amassed 100 points in the last year. It was 25 points back in fourth place.
There has been very little between the teams since then. One of them is almost certain to win another title this May, as they have shared three more titles.
They are separated by a single point in each of the last four campaigns, keeping them apart in the table after 30 games.
City leads with 332 points from 146 games, whileLiverpool are in second place with 335 points. The title race could be decided if the Reds edge ahead in this area when they meet on Sunday.
They have eight league games to go, including this weekend&s head-to-head.
With the teams seemingly equally matched, who is most likely to win the title, what is the difference between them and what might give one side the edge this year?
Manchester City is the best team in Europe according to data experts.
Gracenote has City as their favourite to win the league, because they are at home on Sunday. The Euro Club Index estimates a 61% chance of City lifting the trophy, compared to 39% for the other team.
The result of the meeting on Sunday can make a huge difference to the teams.
The chance of lifting the trophy will be increased by a factor of 7 and the chance of losing it will be reduced by a factor of 14.
An away win for the Reds will make them favorites with a 68% chance of finishing first.
A draw between the two will have no effect on the current situation, with City's chance of becoming champions increasing slightly to 63%, withLiverpool on 37%.
It is partly because of avoiding injuries that they have improved this season, but also due to their attacking prowess.
Gracenote data shows they are taking more shots than in any of the six previous seasons in which they have been managed. In the first two months of the season, the Reds have had 557 goal attempts, an increase of nearly 30% compared to the same period last season.
For the first time since the first season of the premier league, the attack of the Reds is more potent than the one of City.
A look at the numbers since the start of the season shows how the two teams have moved away from each other.
It is no surprise that the pair are the most prolific in that period, with City having 350 goals and the Reds 319. They have the stingiest defences, as they have conceded more goals than any other team.
The attacking and defensive records have become better than the rest of the league.
They allow the fewest shots and take the most from dangerous positions. Both have average shot distances of less than 14 metres.
Data from FBref shows the overall number of shots taken in the Premier League has steadily declined during the past decade by around five shots per game. This is due to the emergence of metrics, like expected goals, that highlight the futility of constantly taking long-range, low-percentage shots.
They are the top two teams in terms of allowing fewest shots. In 30 games, City have allowed 67 on target. The second-place team was allowed 83 and just two by the third-place team.
Both teams enjoy so much possession that their opponents can be suffocated and there is little to separate the two. Over the past four seasons, City completes more passes than the Reds, but they are actually ahead in the progressive passing stakes.
The distance between the goal and the ball has gone by more than 98 km so far this season, compared to the distance moved forwards by City. Over the past four seasons, they have been ahead by more than 19 km.
The data below shows that the Reds are more likely to make long passes if they get the ball quickly.
| Short (%) | Medium (%) | Long (%) | |
| Man City | 41 | 44 | 15 |
| Liverpool | 37 | 44 | 19 |
Goal-kicks and goalkeepers are some of the sources of these long balls. City have shortened their goal-kick from 43 metres to just over 23 metres this season and have launched 40% of goalkeeper possessions. It seems that the man values possession more than ever before.
The number of crosses into the box has been adjusted by City this season. In this one so far, City have increased from 12th most last season to first in this one, whileLiverpool have been the team to produce the second-highest number of crosses. Quite a change.
Both teams are known for their work ethic, but City are more passive in pressing to win possession back. They have the lowest number of pressing actions for three years in a row.
City have fewer chances to regain possession because their opponents have the ball less. City are fourth in this category for pressing in the attacking third.
The second league meeting between the two will be important because of the tight margins.
Over the past four seasons, Manchester City have held the upper hand, winning three and drawing three of the seven matches, while leading the scoring 14-8.
It was back in 2015 that the last time the Reds won a league game in the city, it was under the leadership of Guardiola.
Chaos will always play a part in football. The numbers can edge the neutral to see City carrying an advantage into the final games. The quality of the opponents yet to be faced does favour City.
Both have European ties to contend with, where winning or losing will have an impact on confidence, and there is the psychological impact of facing each other in the FA Cup semi-finals on 16 April.
Because of the cup runs, each team has a rearranged league game. Wolves will host City on a date to be fixed, while Steven Gerrard's Villa will host the Reds on 10 May.
The focus is on the meeting on Sunday, but could it be that the Reds are denied the title by their former captain?
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