It is the flawless year-ending treat: Liverpool versus Manchester City, two Premier League title challengers brimful of attacking, pass-andmove brio and full of goals duelling at high pace at one of England’s noisiest and most storied venues. Guardiola’s great Barcelona and Bayern Munich teams pummelled their opponents into submission, but City have struggled to impose themselves at times and registered just two shots on target during Saturday’s meek 1-0 defeat at Liverpool. But we have seen over the years teams dropping points for fun, teams coming back into the top four after two or three games. However, what followed was more of a scrappy affair as fatigue started to set in, resulting in a midfield battle with chances few and far between. “A clear philosophy does not mean that you stick to it in each moment”.
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But while Messi has no games left in 2017, Ibrahimovic has a chance to overtake him if he scores twice against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
“The problem we had tonight was that we were not as good as we could have been (in possession)”, he said.
City have been beaten four times in the league this season and although they improved in the second half, they never seriously looked like forcing their way back into the match.
“But I’ve been playing a long time and I think you’re always watching and learning from other players you’re playing with as well, and a lot of the principles are the same. If a Sunday league team tries to play like Barcelona, it’s very hard”.
However, the big news is that stat-striker Sergio Aguero is available for selection after serving a four-match ban and that is a truly massive boost for the Citizens.
“He had three and a half weeks off, nice”. The Belgian provided overlaps and runs in behind the back line whenever Sterling had the ball, in a bid to create numerical overloads and draw out Ragnar Klavan. Even without him, they’re an outstanding team.
‘But how we reacted at 1-0 at Anfield – I didn’t see people who didn’t run or play with personality. “That is the first sign it is a special game and we are already looking forward to it”, Klopp said. It would be tough for them like it was tough for us.
“Gegenpressing” is a key element of this as under Klopp, Liverpool have pressed teams furiously high up the pitch and regularly pen them into their own box especially at Anfield.
“Usually after a game you ask a lot of questions and if you get an answer you can rest a player, but I am pretty sure I will not ask a lot of questions like “How do you feel'”, Klopp said”.
“The details will make the difference”. Adam Lallana crossed the ball and I made the header.it was a good goal. “Football sometimes throws up unusual results at times and we’ve got to hope there’s a odd result thrown up this week”. It will be interesting.
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Raheem Sterling is set to face a hostile reception as he returns to Anfield for only the second time since his controversial £49 million move previous year.
