Liverpool make the short journey to Manchester to face one of their main rivals for a Champions League spot on Sunday and, before the season began, most supporters would have taken that scenario.
But, when Jurgen Klopp's side beat City 1-0 at Anfield on the last day of 2016, a result that moved Liverpool within six points of top spot, plenty of fans adjusted their ambitions and they have since been disappointed.
Rationalisation is a football supporter's best friend. Most begin the season with optimism but as each goal moves out of reach, expectations are altered.
Liverpool's next opponents are a case in point.