The tactics that can spark a comeback

Get the tactical set-up right

MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola got it wrong last time, opting for a 4-3-3 that left too many of his own players overrun and his midfield non-existent.

Liverpool will spend far more time in a 4-5-1 defensive shape – City have the players, and the style, to break that down, but must be given the structure to ensure passes are available and that Liverpool cannot power through a soft centre, as happened at Anfield.

City are far more likely to start in a conventional 4-1-4-1, turning into something like a 2-3-2-3 in attack.

Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero may start together in attack, too, with Jesus asked to move inside when Kyle Walker is able to take up the wide attacking positions.

Play Delph at left-back

FABIAN DELPH was badly missed. Aymeric Laporte played at left-back and was always liable to make a mistake in an unfamiliar position in such an intense match. All of City’s width on that side came from Le roy Sane but, with no under or overlapping runs near him, the winger kept running down a narrow one-way street, before being forced backwards.

With Delph at left-back, City have a player who can provide width, but who is capable of moving into central areas when the team are in possession.

Win the midfield battle

LIVERPOOL have a problem with Jordan Henderson suspended and Emre Can injured. The anchor at the base of the midfield three is one of the most important positions in Jurgen Klopp’s tactical set-up. It is the key to recycling play, protecting the defence, holding position and setting the passing tempo.

Georginio Wijnaldum was trialled in this role in the 0-0 draw with Everton and will probably start there against City. Attackminded midfielders are rarely the best option for this job but, occasionally, they seamlessly adapt, and the hope will be that Wijnaldum does so, more like Andrea Pirlo than Jack Wilshere.

How Wijnaldum marshals the team from a deeper position will affect the outcome, and with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva working to close him down, any indecision from lack of experience in the role could be decisive.

Target Alexander-Arnold

TARGETING Trent Alexander-Arnold’ s side of the pitch might help City’s cause, as Manchester United discovered in their recent win over Klopp’s team.

Alexander-Arnold rose to the challenge in the first leg and was immense with the backing of home support, but someone so young – he is only 19 – could be forgiven for making a shaky start and a mistake in the second leg, especially with the unreliable Dejan Lovren alongside.

Liverpool must raise their game once more to fe nd off the whirlwind passing moves.

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JJ BULL