Man City have won four and lost none of their last six league games against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
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City started the night third in the table, after away wins for Leicester and Manchester United earlier in the day. “We have watched games with all of these players and without these players”.
Manchester City replaced Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas with Fernandinho and Fabian Delph at the break and were far more competitive with energy levels similar to those exhibited by Liverpool in the first half.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager has fond memories from his time in Germany, as his former team triumphed twice against City in the Champions League group stages, but understands that it is a different ball game in the Premier League.
“It’s important to retain the same way we finished [before the worldwide break] – at the moment we are having a good season”, City’s manager said.
Liverpool’s prodigal son returns but in the blue jersey as Manchester City’s star player Raheem Sterling faces his former team at the Ethihad stadium in Anfield on Saturday.
The game remains a tough test for City, with Liverpool starting to find their feet after Jurgen Klopp’s first month in charge. Manchester City were hoping to continue their quest for the Barclays Premier League title.
“I think that for me it is never a pressure to be top – you always want to be top as you only depend on what you can do”. They have high quality – but the best news is, it’s football.
Carragher pointed out that the first goal, scored by City defender Eliaquim Mangala, was a sign of what Klopp is looking to do with his famous Gegenpressing tactics.
It has allowed the chasing pack to close in and the concertina effect at the top of the table means that although City enter the weekend as leaders – above Arsenal on goal difference – they could be as low as fourth in the standings by the time the game kicks off.
Firmino enjoyed his best performance in a red shirt since joining the club from German side Hoffenheim for a reported fee of 29 million pounds ($45.8 million).
Liverpool: Simon Mignolet, Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, James Milner, Lucas, Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, and Christian Benteke.
“Financially, no one could compete with Bayern Munich, but on the pitch of course we could compete”, Klopp said.
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Joe Hart says Raheem Sterling won’t be affected by the Liverpool FC boo boys.
