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Liverpool have 3 things they must overcome to remain in title race vs. Manchester City

Liverpool have 3 things they must overcome to remain in title race vs. Manchester City

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Almost exactly eight years ago, Liverpool produced a hallmark performance under new manager Jürgen Klopp, blitzing Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad with a new brand of ‘heavy metal’ football.

The match signalled what was to come from Klopp’s Liverpool, with Roberto Firmino netting his first goal for the club, and Philippe Coutinho outstanding on the left of a new front three.

By Matt Ladson, ThisIsAnfield.com

That 4-1 victory was Liverpool’s first league win at the home of the Citizens in seven years. 

Eight years later, it remains Liverpool’s only Premier League win at Man City under Klopp, and actually their only league win at the Etihad since 2008.

Since the 2015 blitzing, Liverpool away to Man City have three draws and four defeats – including a 5-0, a 4-0 and a 4-1. 

A 2-1 win for the Reds in the Champions League quarter-final in 2018 provided proof that they are capable of winning at the Etihad, but their record at the Etihad/City of Manchester Stadium, in the 20 years since its opening in 2003, is three wins in 20 league games.

And if Liverpool are to have any chance of denying City a fourth consecutive league title, they simply must be taking points from Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday.

A working theory is that, in order to stop City, you must take a minimum of four points from your two head-to-head games against them. That means a good swing in the title race.

Winning your home game but losing away is null, and leaves you having to overcome City’s near-perfection in the league. You need that swing of at least three points in your favour. 

Thankfully for Liverpool, their visit to the Etihad in their title-winning season came after the title was already won – days after, which resulted in a 4-0 drubbing.

The early kick off issue

Liverpool’s terrible record at Man City isn’t the only thing against them this weekend, with this being yet another early kick-off for the Merseysiders.

Klopp’s side have had more early kick-off games than any other in the last five years, by a considerable margin, and now face what is already their third of this season.

Last season, the Reds faced four early kick-off fixtures and won none. This season so far they’ve enjoyed success against Wolves and Everton – but Man City away, after an international break is an entirely more difficult task.

Speaking about the decision for it to be a 12.30pm kick-off, which was actually determined by Manchester Police and not by television companies on this occasion, Klopp was critical.

“How can you put a game like this on Saturday at 12.30pm?” he said. “Honestly, the people making the decisions, they cannot feel football, it is just not possible.”

Nobody tell Jürgen about games between Liverpool and Man United that kicked off at 11.30am during the 2000s. 

Post-internationals

The international break throws another dilemma for Liverpool and Klopp in particular.

In the game at Wolves in September, Klopp bizarrely opted to start Alexis Mac Allister despite the Argentine having represented his country in a game at an altitude of 12,000 feet in Bolivia little more than 48 hours earlier. Mac Allister was replaced at half time, with the manager admitting after that the Liverpool No.10 felt relieved to be hooked early.

This week, Argentina play Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK), with a private plane then being ready to fly Mac Allister, plus Alisson, and other members of both Liverpool and Man City’s squad back to the UK.

One player who won’t be on that plane is Man City and Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, who is among the lengthy list of international withdrawals for Guardiola’s side.

Mateo Kovačić withdrew from duty with Croatia due to a small muscle issue, so he’s fully expected to be fit on Saturday.

Matheus Nunes withdrew from Portugal duty, Nathan Aké missed the Netherlands’ games, while Erling Haaland dropped out of the Norway squad after their first match, missing their fixture against Scotland.

Unsurprisingly, Haaland is expected to be fit for Saturday.

Title challenge – or not

Liverpool go into Saturday’s game a point behind City, and if they are to remain in with a title challenge, they need that gap not to widen by full time.

It’s a fixture that pairs the duo of Haaland and Mo Salah – the duo who lead the Premier League for goals, expected goals and expected goals on target.

But the key battle could be in midfield, where Liverpool will need energy and tackling ability when they come up against Rodri – the player with the league’s highest FotMob rating (and most accurate passes per 90.

Liverpool must overcome the odds to get a point on Saturday, then hope to be in the title race for the return fixture at Anfield in early March – and win that.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with everything Liverpool, make sure you click follow on the team profile in the FotMob app. Download the free app here.

Liverpool have 3 things they must overcome to remain in title race vs. Manchester City

Almost exactly eight years ago, Liverpool produced a hallmark performance under new manager Jürgen Klopp, blitzing Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad with a new brand of ‘heavy metal’ football.

The match signalled what was to come from Klopp’s Liverpool, with Roberto Firmino netting his first goal for the club, and Philippe Coutinho outstanding on the left of a new front three.

By Matt Ladson, ThisIsAnfield.com

That 4-1 victory was Liverpool’s first league win at the home of the Citizens in seven years. 

Eight years later, it remains Liverpool’s only Premier League win at Man City under Klopp, and actually their only league win at the Etihad since 2008.

Since the 2015 blitzing, Liverpool away to Man City have three draws and four defeats – including a 5-0, a 4-0 and a 4-1. 

A 2-1 win for the Reds in the Champions League quarter-final in 2018 provided proof that they are capable of winning at the Etihad, but their record at the Etihad/City of Manchester Stadium, in the 20 years since its opening in 2003, is three wins in 20 league games.

And if Liverpool are to have any chance of denying City a fourth consecutive league title, they simply must be taking points from Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday.

A working theory is that, in order to stop City, you must take a minimum of four points from your two head-to-head games against them. That means a good swing in the title race.

Winning your home game but losing away is null, and leaves you having to overcome City’s near-perfection in the league. You need that swing of at least three points in your favour. 

Thankfully for Liverpool, their visit to the Etihad in their title-winning season came after the title was already won – days after, which resulted in a 4-0 drubbing.

The early kick off issue

Liverpool’s terrible record at Man City isn’t the only thing against them this weekend, with this being yet another early kick-off for the Merseysiders.

Klopp’s side have had more early kick-off games than any other in the last five years, by a considerable margin, and now face what is already their third of this season.

Last season, the Reds faced four early kick-off fixtures and won none. This season so far they’ve enjoyed success against Wolves and Everton – but Man City away, after an international break is an entirely more difficult task.

Speaking about the decision for it to be a 12.30pm kick-off, which was actually determined by Manchester Police and not by television companies on this occasion, Klopp was critical.

“How can you put a game like this on Saturday at 12.30pm?” he said. “Honestly, the people making the decisions, they cannot feel football, it is just not possible.”

Nobody tell Jürgen about games between Liverpool and Man United that kicked off at 11.30am during the 2000s. 

Post-internationals

The international break throws another dilemma for Liverpool and Klopp in particular.

In the game at Wolves in September, Klopp bizarrely opted to start Alexis Mac Allister despite the Argentine having represented his country in a game at an altitude of 12,000 feet in Bolivia little more than 48 hours earlier. Mac Allister was replaced at half time, with the manager admitting after that the Liverpool No.10 felt relieved to be hooked early.

This week, Argentina play Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK), with a private plane then being ready to fly Mac Allister, plus Alisson, and other members of both Liverpool and Man City’s squad back to the UK.

One player who won’t be on that plane is Man City and Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, who is among the lengthy list of international withdrawals for Guardiola’s side.

Mateo Kovačić withdrew from duty with Croatia due to a small muscle issue, so he’s fully expected to be fit on Saturday.

Matheus Nunes withdrew from Portugal duty, Nathan Aké missed the Netherlands’ games, while Erling Haaland dropped out of the Norway squad after their first match, missing their fixture against Scotland.

Unsurprisingly, Haaland is expected to be fit for Saturday.

Title challenge – or not

Liverpool go into Saturday’s game a point behind City, and if they are to remain in with a title challenge, they need that gap not to widen by full time.

It’s a fixture that pairs the duo of Haaland and Mo Salah – the duo who lead the Premier League for goals, expected goals and expected goals on target.

But the key battle could be in midfield, where Liverpool will need energy and tackling ability when they come up against Rodri – the player with the league’s highest FotMob rating (and most accurate passes per 90.

Liverpool must overcome the odds to get a point on Saturday, then hope to be in the title race for the return fixture at Anfield in early March – and win that.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with everything Liverpool, make sure you click follow on the team profile in the FotMob app. Download the free app here.