Those outside the stadium protesting ownership issues and the Super League had a point. If the richest clubs had their way this season would be over.
The title would be won, relegation decided and there would be no titanic scrap for Champions League qualification because the wealthiest clubs would all be in, regardless.
So Liverpool would have no need to throw the kitchen sink at Manchester United, turning the game on its head with three goals in 16 minutes. Manchester United would have scant motivation to inflict further humiliation on their great rivals. It would have been a friendly with teeth, not this mighty scrap.