But Brendan Rodgers will today look across his technical area at a man under pressure - though he is a) used to it and b) has no worries about going grey.

Last season ended with an FA Cup moment which shed the air of failure at Arsenal and started a new dawn.

But with his side seventh in the table and 13 points off top spot - where they last finished in 2004 - Arsene Wenger is dividing opinion among the clubs' supporters.

One thing is for sure, either he or Rodgers will not be full of festive cheer after this one.

Date: 8 February 2014

Liverpool thump Arsenal 5-1 in game six of a 16-match unbeaten run which took them to the brink of a first title in 24 years. Manager Brendan Rodgers looks crisp, his jacket is dapper, life is pretty much a thumbs up, the Reds are fourth.

Image source, Getty Images

Roll on 316 days and it's not just the coat that's changed. The title hope evaporated. The star striker left. Another goal scorer is constantly injured. A striker bought to fill the void is behaving like Mario Balotelli (you see what we did there) and Liverpool are 11th.

Hide your eyes. Maybe you can turn the clock back today.

Image source, Getty Images