This is the year that the so called “Big Four” hierarchy might finally be broken up. These teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have dominated the top four spots for a over decade now.

In the past 12 seasons only three different clubs have won the Premier League title—Manchester United (seven times), Arsenal (three times) and Chelsea (twice) with Liverpool consistently finishing in a Champions League qualification spot since 1999. In fact the only team outside these four to have ever won the Premiership were the Blackburn Rovers.

But this year just maybe, maybe we’re in for a bit of change. Due to Liverpool’s awful form (by their own high standards) in the league thus far, they have fallen into a battle for the last Champion’s League spot against the lowly likes of Everton and Aston Villa. It would be an especially bitter loss for them if they lost the spot to crosstown rivals Everton, but it looks likelier and likelier as the season passes on.

Everton have been one of the surprises of the season and while Liverpool’s star studded team can deliver, it is on a very inconsistent basis. Why, and whether this is because of Rafa’s rotation policy or not is another argument entirely, but many would not be surprised to see him out of the job at the end of the season, Champion’s League or not. At the moment only goal difference separates Everton from the glory of the Champ.’s League, and have the easier schedule. Liverpool must face Man. Utd and Arsenal at their respective stadiums while Everton only have to muster up against Arsenal away.

But then again, who knows? We are talking of the Liverpool who made the great escape in the group stages of the Champ.’s League when most were sure they would be eliminated. This could end up to equal the relegation drama of last year’s West Ham team, and after all, that’s what football’s all about isn’t it?