Manchester City v Liverpool tactics as hosts look at all-out attack

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 09:30 03/01/2019
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  • Who will win the Premier League?

    In what could be the Premier League title deciding fixture, league leaders and favourites to lift the trophy Liverpool travel to the Etihad to take on the defending champions. Manchester City were handed a boost with Kevin De Bruyne returning to action, but for the first time in two seasons Pep Guardiola’s men start as the underdogs.

    With a healthy seven-point lead at the top, a win against second placed City would make Liverpool outright favourites to win their maiden Premier League trophy. However, Jurgen Klopp knows better than to count his chickens before they hatch as he prepares for a crucial showdown at Manchester.

    We take a look at some of the tactics the managers will be looking to employ in this potentially title-deciding fixture.

    ALL OUT ATTACK

    A draw on Thursday night would be a great result for Liverpool, but for not so much for City. Knowing Guardiola, it is safe to assume that the Spaniard will go all out.

    The Reds boast of the best defence in the league and if City’s attackers are compared to Liverpool’s defenders player by player, the Reds hold the edge.

    Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold have been spectacular this season and Virgil van Dijk is arguably the best defender in the league currently.

    Raheem Sterling.

    Raheem Sterling.

    In comparison, City’s wingers Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling have been off-colour in the past few games.

    It would not be the worst idea in the world to make up for quality with quantity. Guardiola will surely be looking at numerical superiority in the final third to help his team break the lock in front of Liverpool’s goal.

    This will be achieved by the full-backs pushing as high and wide as possible to keep the opponent full-backs occupied and the wingers dropping into half-spaces.

    FIRE IT IN FROM BETWEEN THE LINES

    Guardiola’s Plan B is always about doing Plan A better. In a crucial tie like this, having a fall-back option is a necessity.

    It’s no secret that City have players who can shoot from distance, with players like De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Sterling and to an extent even Fernandinho and Danilo being able to fire from distance and actually test the goalkeeper.

    Kevin De Bruyne

    Kevin De Bruyne

    A slight drawback of Liverpool’s Gegenpressing is that it leaves massive space between the midfield and defence lines. City could capitalise on this space and bombard Allisson with shots.

    With the accuracy of the players, at least one is bound to go through. If the defence seems unbreachble, not attempting to breach it seems like a good Plan B.

    LIVERPOOL CAN WAIT FOR CITY TO MAKE A MISTAKE

    Not only do Liverpool start as favourites, but they also have less to play for when compared to City. Klopp would be glad to take a draw in this fixture and will be focusing on how to defend against City rather than how to score goals.

    Sadio mane and Mohamed Salah

    Sadio mane and Mohamed Salah

    City will be pushing for a win and defensive mistakes are bound to pop up. The pace of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane could prove too much for City’s high-line to deal with on the break.

    Also, the visitors are gifted with enough talent to allow some individual brilliance to steal the show.

    In any case, the Reds could simply choose to focus on maintaining a good shape and striking when City make a mistake.

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