Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is tackled by Dejan Lovren of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on March 1, 2015 in Liverpool, England.
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Pellegrini said: “I always think it is special for all players – not only Raheem – to play against the team they worked for for many players”.
City will welcome back their top scorer, who struck five times in 20 minutes against Newcastle when he last played for them, at a time when his deputy Wilfried Bony is sidelined.
“I don’t want to talk about one player”, he said. “It was not our night and we have to turn the situation around quickly because we have an important game [against Juventus] on Wednesday night”. He played here, had a good time here, I’ve heard no bad word about him.
Klopp also revealed that he had set up his team specially to counter Manuel Pellegrini’s team at the Etihad.
Despite the tough assignment at the Etihad Stadium, they achieved just that following a sublime first-half display. “If it was the best I’m not so sure because I don’t really compare games”.
“When they played away in a lot of game they played with a lot of intensity but it is very hard to compare after two or three games in a new season”.
“It is important also he can demonstrate in every game because I am very happy with the way he is playing so far that he is an important player and will be more important in the future”. I remember them coming to our place in the Champions League and they battered us.
“Today we did it all wrong – the performance, the way we defended, the way we went forward”. I know in this world we judge after one second sometimes. “With results like this the boys start to believe in themselves and that’s very important”.
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Milner, who has overcome a hamstring injury, plays in midfield along with Lucas Leiva and Emre Can, with Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho operating behind Firmino.
