It’s another riveting fixture, again its two sides more than capable of having a coronation day. Again, its two sides with exceptional managers looking to outdo each other.
It is without a doubt the game of the weekend, read on to see how I see this colossal clash playing out at Anfield.
English Premier League
Sunday 3 October
Anfield
17:30
To Win
Liverpool 19/10
Liverpool 19/10
Draw 5/2
Manchester City 13/10
Manchester City 13/10
Liverpool
Liverpool have certainly got their swagger and class back – no their swagger and class hasn’t changed after their all-encompassing fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium and yes, because of their last fixture you could argue against this point… But the free-flowing, pacey and passionate style of attacking football (synonymous with Jurgen Klopp and Anfield) is back and already looking to get cozy with their all too familiar defensive solidity.
I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t think the effect of the return of Virgil van Dyk would be as immediate as it has, and – when you couple that with the fact that Liverpool has gone from being at odds and ends defensively to having arguably the best defensive unit fit and available – that is massive for the football club.
If I’m completely honest, the home win being priced up 19/10 is tantalizing and mouth-wateringly enticing…but the only red flag I keep seeing is the ineffective and almost weak approach the Reds displayed to hosting a 10-men Chelsea. Anfield is probably one of the most hostile places in world football. The cry for more and more from the Kop urges even the most exhausted and average Liverpool sides to have played and most times the result is success. However, even a buzzing Anfield and talented, skillful and honest Red army couldn’t get over the line and cause Tuchel’s Chelsea any real danger.
Manchester City
How dare we write off City? How dare we class them as a common derelict of English topflight football? They are the champions of England! Serial EFL Cup winners and (almost) Champions of Europe for goodness’ sake! Put respect on their name.
In all seriousness though, City have managed to create just as resolute and compact a defensive shape as Liverpool. They have slipped under the radar recently in terms of the quality they can produce (I know! It was even crazier to write) but just when the talk began to shift to the defending Champions finishing fourth – or just about – and I’ll admit I was part of the furniture on that bandwagon – they managed to convince us otherwise.
This is a classy team with depth and quality like none other. Against Chelsea at the weekend Pep Guardiola proved tactical genius and efficiency can be found even in the most simple and straightforward ideas of modern football. City was back to bossing the ball and field space, making the field as small as possible when out of possession and being very direct when looking to progress forward.
Gabriel Jesus played through the middle mostly and imitated an out and out nine for large portions of the game. Which, in my opinion, was the reason they were able to breakdown Chelsea and cause confusion and structural inconsistency in Chelsea’s defensive line – something severely lacking when the Citzens hosted Southampton.
Prediction: Draw/Manchester City + Over 2.5 Goals (31/20)
Expect a slow burner styled game, an approach that I think will largely favour the away side, with little space and a serious emphasis on counterattack. Going for an outright winner in a fixture so dependent on an adopted style is an extreme sport that I’m okay not participating in. But nevertheless, I think the high-profile nature of the encounter will be on display for all to see.
I can’t wait for this game! If City are as defensively sound as they were against Chelsea, I think they will frustrate Liverpool…and yet if they look to attack ferociously, I think they play into their hosts’ hands.
Of course, you have two very successful and demanding managers looking to impose their approach on the game – a game of checkers if you will – but it’s the second fixture between title favourite clubs in as many weeks and I’m not sure there are too many of us complaining.
This monumental game of football will be one that will likely be decided by tight margins and in-the-moment decisions. However, in Liverpool you have a side not shy to completely have a go – with little to no inhabitations.
I think City control the tempo and pace of the game and I can’t see them losing to this Liverpool side. Jurgen Klopp will demand his side go on the offensive early on and try play City off the field, an approach which will be supported by those inside Anfield. But I think City will slowly get the game under control, seduce it and take advantage of Liverpool’s forward playing attitude.
A result for the visitors, and yet another statement, without the tact we saw at the Bridge.
Written by Ryan Liberty