Having been dumped out of the League Cup by Liverpool courtesy of a 4-0 hammering on Wednesday, October 25 1995, the last team that Manchester City wanted to face next time out was the Merseysiders.
The Premier League's fixtures computer doesn't often have much sympathy, though. So, 18 years ago today, Alan Ball's side made their second trip to Anfield in four days.
The hosts were regarded to be the big favourites to claim all three points, and not only because of what happened during the last meeting between the two teams. Roy Evans's outfit had started the campaign positively, losing just two of their opening 10 encounters.
City, in contrast, had not won any of their matches during the same period, losing on eight occasions.
So, when Ian Rush put the home side in front with just three minutes on the clock, there was no great surprise. Then, two minutes later, Jamie Redknapp doubled Liverpool's advantage when his free kick deflected into the net via City defender Keith Curle.
The match was put beyond City's reach shortly after the restart when Robbie Fowler scored his first of the afternoon after he had inherited possession from Mark Wright.
Liverpool then went for the jugular and added a fourth in the 53rd minute when substitute Neil Ruddock headed in from a corner. Four became five just seven minutes later thanks to Fowler again, who volleyed in a cross from Republic of Ireland international Jason McAteer.
Rush had the final say in the 64th minute when he turned the ball in from close range after City goalkeeper Eike Immel had saved from Redknapp.
These two sides would next meet on the final day of the campaign, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Maine Road. It was a result that sealed City's relegation to Division One, while Liverpool finished in third spot.
LIVERPOOL: James; Wright, Harkness, Babb, Scales (Kennedy); McAteer, Redknapp, McManaman, Barnes (Ruddock); Rush, Fowler
MAN CITY: Immel; Edghill, Brightwell (Creaney), Curle, Symons; Flitcroft, Kinkladze (Brown), Summerbee, Lomas; Rosler, Quinn
Liam Apicella
