Most neutrals will hope for the latter. Seasons that see a shifting of momentum tend to be more memorable than those where a dominant side canters into the distance. There’s a reason the tortoise’s sole victory against the hare was the only result between them that was turned into a fable.

Didi Hamann has ruled one club out of the Premier League title race as Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea look to reel in Liverpool. Liverpool have opened up a commanding eight-point gap at the top of the table after winning 10 of their first 12 league games under new boss Arne Slot.

There is time aplenty for gaps to be made up with more than two-thirds of the Premier League campaign to be played. Like an endurance race, however, the pace has been set. A brisk one at that. Liverpool have burst out of the blocks,