Manchester has moved on without Ronaldo while Liverpool remains lovesick over Alonso.
The results of Matchday 4 solidified the belief that the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid will linger longer in Liverpool than the sale of his teammate at Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, will in Manchester.
All it took was Reds captain Steven Gerrard to vocalize what the club's sub-standard performance on the pitch revealed weeks ago.
United lost a 40-plus goal per season winger with unwavering flair and the ability to make some of the biggest games his best. Irreplaceable qualities, no question. But in his infinite wisdom, Sir Alex Ferguson bought a poor man's version of Ronaldo in the Ecuadorian international Antonio Valencia; a player with just enough Ronaldo-like qualities to make the transition an easier one.
While the game-tying and knockout stage securing goal Valencia scored against CSKA Moscow lacked the class of his winged predecessor, it was equal in importance. It was also the second time in three matches that Valencia has saved the English champions from embarrassment at home.
A few dozen miles to the west, Rafa Benitez was reimbursed with players nowhere near the quality of Alonso, thus making the transition from a player with 138 appearances to Alberto Aquilani, who has yet to debut, a formidable task. The Italian midfielder is expected to play at Anfield this weekend, but with the Champions League on life support and the league looking pallid, it might be a case of too little and too late.
As per usual, the Matchday musings will end with a Champions League-to-Toronto FC comparison.
On the heels of the other Reds' season-ending laugher in New York, much was made over the report that TFC were not at all like the big, happy portraits that adorn its hallways. 'Bad apples' was the phrase of choice.
It was difficult to believe; even for team captain Jim Brennan.
Well, contrary to popular belief, it is pretty common.
The difference lies in the reality that one club knows precisely how to deal with dissent once it goes public. It'll be interesting to see what/how the other does.