The day is finally here. The All-English Champions League quarter-final everyone was looking forward to is finally upon us with 5-time champions Liverpool and Manchester City facing off.
And sure, Real Madrid did take on Juve in one of the other quarter-finals but, this is the most hyped of the lot. There’s a very significant, very valid reason for the hype around Liverpool vs Manchester City.
This is a match-up between two supremely gifted sides who not only have the best attacks in England but are also, very entertaining. Liverpool and Manchester City have an unheard of 163 goals between them this season. 163. That’s simply staggering.
More than that, however, this match is also a battle of footballing philosophies. Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal, gegenpressing vs Guardiola’s possession-based attacking football.
Klopp has the best managerial record of any manager against the Catalan with 6 wins in 12 but, Guardiola himself has 5 too, with one of them being City’s mauling of Liverpool by 5 goals at Etihad this season.
However, Liverpool remains the only team to have beaten City in the League this season when they beat them 4-3 in the match of the season at Anfield in January.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52qa7bx7L6M
Like any other match, Liverpool vs Manchester City will come down to a few key factors and battles. Here’s a look at them,
Salah, Sane and the Battle of the Full-backs
Mohammed Salah has had the best debut season for a new signing in perhaps, forever. Leroy Sane, on the other hand, has been one of the best young players in the PL for the past two seasons now. For all the recent talk and praise (warranted, of course) showered on Salah, it might just be Sane who decides the game.
Both play on the same side of the field and both, like to run at a frightening pace at stumbling defenses.
Their success depends on how well they manage to negate the opposing defenders, especially the full backs. Salah will most likely be up against Laporte while Sane will be up against Trent Alexander-Arnold (who in the absence of Joe Gomez, has looked particularly nervy in his last few exchanges against United and Palace). Give either of them space to run into with the ball at their feet, and they’ll be trouble.
Watch: Here’s Why A Club As Big As PSG Has Struggled In Europe So Far
And then, there’s Andy Robertson. IMO, the best left-back in the League right now who has been fundamental to the Liverpool attack down the flank over the past few months.
Look no further than how he ended up from left-back to the right-wing during LFC’s victory against City at Anfield. That was also the time Robertson kept Sterling in his pocket and spat him out like loose change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q16rH5poXik
Battle of the Midfields
City has two of the best midfielders in the world in Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva. And yet, the last time they came to Anfield, City were overrun and hounded relentlessly by the trio of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
This time, Emre Can is unlikely to play. A shame really but this means, it will be either Wijnaldum or Milner getting into the squad now that Lallana is out injured.
Whoever plays in the midfield, however, on paper it would seem that City does have a stronger side on paper. Key here would be to strangle the creativity of De Bruyne and Silva, not allowing them to distribute those world-class, defense-splitting passes to City’s vaunted attackers.
Defensive Stability Under Van Dijk?
This is arguably Virgil Van Dijk’s biggest PL game ever in Liverpool colors. Under his watch, Liverpool has not only become better at marshaling the opposition but, also have an air of confidence about them while defending, especially set-pieces.
Alas, all’s not rosy. As the game against United reflected, Liverpool defenders are prone to individual mistakes (TAA on that occasion).
It would be key for Van Dijk and the rest of the Liverpool defense (looking at you, Lovren) to avoid making such mistakes again and finally produce a defensive masterclass.
Anfield Factor
Arguably, the most important factor in a list of significant factors. Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC is hallowed ground. It’s one of the great grounds of the world, one where the Kop arouses so much passion and love for the team and the sport that, it often becomes unnerving for much of the opposition.
Anfield is special on PL nights. However, it comes truly alive on European Nights, in a way that can unnerve the best of teams. Just ask Chelsea in 2005 or Real Madrid in 2009 or Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
Manchester City has a host of brilliant, experienced players who may not let the opportunity of playing at Anfield against Liverpool get to them. But, to call the Anfield atmosphere insignificant would be a mistake. Anfield is the 12th man at Liverpool.
That’s my take on Liverpool Manchester City tonight. Here’s to a great game, a great advert for the game of football. YNWA.
Image Sources: Google Images
Sources: BBC, This is Anfield, The Guardian
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