OPINION
Manchester City have developed into an all-conquering powerhouse through the masterful coaching of Pep Guardiola, huge investment and shrewd behind-the-scenes guidance of Txiki Begiristain.
But the ex-Barcelona duo have been unable to steer the City juggernaut away from the chasing pack as they would have in every other season in Premier League history because of equal excellence on the other side of the East Lancashire Road.
Many Liverpool, and certainly City fans, would be unable to pick Michael Edwards out in an identity parade.
But the virtually-anonymous Anfield director of football has made himself indispensable at one of Europe’s elite clubs by giving Liverpool the edge in the transfer market.
It has helped a Liverpool side superbly coached by Jurgen Klopp climb to the Premier League summit and totally maximise the resources of the US-owned club.
The list of Edwards’ shrewd signings grow as every window passes and, with the January mid-season opening just weeks ago, offers another possibility to strength Liverpool’s hand at a time when they are suffering a defensive injury crisis.
Last winter, the Merseyside giants forked out an initial £70million on Virgil van Dijk, and their summer business, when barely any less was spent on Alisson, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho, is also starting to look masterful.
Throw in the Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andy Robertson summer-of-2017 signings, the captures of Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Joel Matip 12 months earlier, and it is hard to spot a major move that has backfired.
Klopp is the touchline motivator getting the best from the players at his disposal through a style of play that has been tweaked and improved this season.
Behind the scenes, Edwards is pulling the strings from an office directly opposite Klopp’s and is barely putting a foot wrong.
Guardiola and Begiristain will be concerned by how much Van Dijk and Alisson have improved the Salah-led front line this year.
But silent star Edwards is the man they will really fear.