For all the talk about Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland making Manchester City impregnable, Liverpool are feeling bullish about the strength of their own squad.
Missing key players including Mohamed Salah and Alisson, Jurgen Klopp's side got the job done in front of Anfield's record league crowd, even when Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury left them without a recognised right back for the second half.
Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have all scored critical goals from the bench this season and on Saturday it was another substitute, Harvey Elliott, who made the difference with two match-winning assists after his half-time introduction.