Suarez almost as good as Andy Cole

Yeah that's what I mean, they've had some great sides in between number 6 and number 7 but weren't able to win it.

When Madrid have won it, however, they've been dominant in Europe.

I suppose it could be like comparing our domestic success - we've had great success under two great manager but in between not a lot and it was a long time in between.

Real went 32 years without winning it.

Wow 32 years, didn't realise the gap was that big.

Think they would have only reached the one final in that time as well against us.

Yes, although after the relegation and before the dominance began you still competed near the top often enough. Won a few cups.

Bizarre in a sense like. That's football for you, doesn't always make much sense! So many false dawns, you weren't often that far away neither.

Similarities there though. Hopefully this is the next phase of the pattern! I doubt it though.

Yes that's true. And interestingly, despite us being arguably the biggest rivals in England, we aren't often actually competing against each other for the title.

So hopefully we'll be back at the top soon competing for titles with you, because winning the title in 09 felt all that more special as you were our competitors.

I'm sure some part of you must be a bit gutted that you are fighting it out with City and Chelsea rather than us, even though it has been hilarious for you?

No it's peculiar. Generally throughout both our periods of dominance, there's been the odd challenge from the other and loads of false dawns to go with it.

Remarkable really, of all of footballs big rivalries it must be quite unique in that sense.

Good question. It certainly would feel more enjoyable, more tense definitely. Although simply being in this position right now, is more than enough thanks! Hopefully in time though, yes. An April showdown would reach boiling point!

Beating Fergie to it would have been the big one but I don't think we ever would have for as long as he remained in charge.

It wouldn't surprise me if we struggled a bit next year and we don't know what to expect just yet with Utd. Big few months ahead you feel.

So it could be a case of both of us watching on

Too hard to call.

Yeah I agree with that.

Next season is going to be a really hard one to call. Like you I feel Liverpool could drop off a little and it'll be City and Chelsea fighting it out.

But as this season has shown. We can't really know what is gonna happen.

No we cant.

I keep thinking at some point City and Chelsea will pull away into a two horse race and perhaps share titles for a few years, if Utd dont get their houses in order especially.

City more-so have to click soon enough to win another one, with a bit to spare. You'd think so anyway.

Along with Fergie calling time what our resurgence has done though has added an extra dynamic to the top, it was threatening to become a closed shop between the top four places.

There's a lot of big questions next season.

In a nutshell its unpredictable at the moment as we'll keep saying time and again!

Yeah for sure. A lot will depend on who we appoint as manager and what players we bring in. We have the financial muscle to compete with City and Chelsea if it's made available but that doesn't guarantee we'll get things right on the pitch.

Does make for exciting viewing though because if you add Arsenal and their new found wealth into the mix, well five into four doesn't go.

Spurs look to be the biggest losers in all of this.

Thats it, I can't imagine you'll be this bad next year and as you say five doesn't go into four. A rather good/big side is going to keep missing out.

Spurs seem to have blown it there chance recent years but you can't entirely rule them out with Everton.

It does seem though that a lot could depend on Utd. Its funny that we could be champions but potentially the most vulnerable next season.

Would be funny if we do a Liverpool and win it next year and Liverpool win the title and drop out the top four.

Not beyond the realms of possibility! Its a strange one really.

Seen some odd seasons in my life but us possibly swapping places like this, it's just odd.

Still a long way to go this season for us though. We're favourites now, we cant keep saying anything else but top 4 is a bonus, finishing second now would be a consolation.

In time we'd realise our achievements I suppose but to not win it would be a blow.