Diaz and Nunez can exploit City spaces
IT’S A shame that some players have long journeys before Saturday’s flagship game between Manchester City and Liverpool but it also adds to the intrigue.
Ordinarily, Jurgen Klopp would rest his South American stars so soon after 7,000-mile flights but this time he might take the gamble to start with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
I hope he does because a matchup with City looks tailor-made for their pace and dynamism.
Last weekend’s 4-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge gave Liverpool a clue about how to get joy against Pep Guardiola’s side. When City pushed their defenders up and Chelsea were able to get a turnover, the speed of Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson was a real threat.
City do many wonderful things but if they persist moving one of their centre-halves into midfield to try to control the game, whether it be Manuel Akanji or John Stones, there is a risk because of the space they leave behind.
I’m struggling to think of a front three better equipped to take advantage than Mo Salah, Nunez and Diaz. Diaz scored twice for Colombia against Brazil on Thursday night, having come through the emotional ordeal of his father’s kidnapping and Nunez was on target as Uruguay beat Argentina.
Josko Gvardiol will have the same issue if he steps up from left-back. He’s a fantastic player but struggled at Chelsea.
Guardiola has a perfect right to play his way — look at the trophies he’s won — but against the very top opposition it carries a risk.
Chelsea exploited it last week and Liverpool are even better. They have midfielders such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister who can pick the right pass if their forwards are on a run.
The reverse is true as well. Trent Alexander-Arnold has won plaudits for his hybrid role but if he pushes on next Saturday, that is a worry for Joel Matip or even Ibrahima Konate to cover. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jeremy Doku gets the nod on the left for that reason — the extra gear of pace.
It’s a conundrum for both managers. You can argue the case to be more pragmatic given the strength of the opposition, but if AlexanderArnold gets forward and splits the defence with a brilliant pass for Liverpool to score, Klopp’s adventure looks like genius.
City will be favourites with home advantage but Liverpool have a chance if they go with a plan.
They need to try to defuse the influence of Rodri, who last lost a match for his club back in February (a personal run of 38 matches).
Chelsea found a way last weekend. Cole Palmer switched from the right wing into a No10 position for the second half and it gave the Spaniard a headache.
Liverpool could do something similar. Either by detailing one of their midfielders Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch or Cody Gakpo to push up and make runs in behind Rodri, or for one of the wide players to drop inside and give the City linchpin an extra something to think about.
Gravenberch would be ideal. He has the athleticism to get into the box and cause Rodri a problem. And having had a rest in international week, he’ll be fresh.