Ruthless Liverpool hurt City again
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Klopp’s boys produce blistering football to crush City
LIVERPOOL: When Liverpool beat Manchester City 4-3 in January’s Premier League clash, the question was raised if any other team could follow their method to overcome Pep Guardiola’s side.
Managers have tried everything — playing two lines of defenders, packing the midfield, hitting long balls, counter-attacking, getting physical. Pretty much every tactical approach in the book. None of them worked.
On Wednesday, Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool did it again, though, producing a blistering first 31 minutes to open up a 3-0 lead they will take into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Perhaps there really is only one team in England with the weapons to defeat this Manchester City side, who are 16 points clear in the Premier League.
With Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in attack, Liverpool possess not just a potent strike force, but, crucially, a trio that can close down defenders and stop City from their favoured route of playing the ball out from the back.
“The boys up front did outstandingly good. You see the really cool, full-of-confidence guys like (Nicolas) Otamendi, (Vincent) Kompany, play these kind of under-pressure backpasses,” Klopp said.
“We used those situations and that gave us the opportunity to win the game,” added the German who now has an unmatched six victories over Guardiolacoached teams.
The pressing from his strikers certainly ruffled City’s defenders but their energy was matched by Klopp’s midfield and their constant harrying and impressive work-rate in the opening 45 minutes. The often under-rated James Milner made crucial challenges and provided assists for the opening two goals. Jordan Henderson, whose yellow card means he misses the 2nd leg, was a true midfield general and Alex Oxlade-chamberlain, whose 25-yard screamer made it 2-0, looks a player transformed since his move from Arsenal.
REDS FACE ACTION
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool after fans caused damage to the Manchester City team bus ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash.
Juergen Klopp’s side have been charged with four breaches of disciplinary regulations relating to the behaviour of their fans before and during the 3-0 victory at Anfield. “The charges of acts of damage and crowd disturbances relate to incidents involving the Manchester City FC team bus,” UEFA said in a statement.
Liverpool were also charged over the setting off of fireworks and throwing of objects. The case will be heard by UEFA’S Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on May 31.
There are 90 minutes more, we are going to try. I believe a lot in this team. They show me many good things in the season. We knew about the quality of City but also about our quality as well. We were very active in all parts of the game.