Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling will be one of several players facing a former club when Liverpool visit on Saturday, but visiting manager Jurgen Klopp has played down the significance of the reunion.
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Klopp said (via the official website): “We had eight players here because Jose Enrique could train for the first time since I’ve been here”. 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”.
Victory moves Liverpool to within a point of the top five, but more important to Klopp is the growing belief within his squad that they can compete with the top teams in the division. It was not one name or another name who was to blame it was the whole team.
Pellegrini said: “We did all we could to convince him to stay”.
Liverpool players celebrate their team’s first goal in the 4-1 win over City.
He added: “Do I understand?”
“Raheem is young and must improve a lot in important things”.
“I was not happy with the performance of the whole side”.
“It is important we keep this going now and it is a great start to a period where we have a lot of games”.
And Pellegrini was left flummoxed after the performance, insisting his side failed in every department. “We can do better than tonight but maybe not in counter-attack”. Two weeks is long enough after Crystal Palace.
“It’s very satisfying”, said Klopp.
“Everyone wants to see more of Daniel on the pitch so you have to train but we have to find the right balance”. We need common experience that we can talk about, work with.
The good news for City is that star striker Sergio Aguero has been passed fit to return to action after enduring a six week lay off with a niggling hamstring injury. At half-time I told the boys they were surprised to be winning 3-0, and we must do better in that situation.
“We have to learn to be in a clear lead”.
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Diminutive Argentine forward who only returned from injury, Sergio Aguero curled one past Simon Minoglet but that was the only goal will get on the night.
