SPORTSMAIL’S THREE WISE MEN

Martin Keown, Chris Sutton and Jamie Redknapp

MARTIN KEOWN PEP KNOWS AN EARLY GOAL CHANGES EVERYTHING This might sound strange, but tonight is a difficult game for Jurgen Klopp. There must be a temptation to sit back, but Liverpool have to play the same way they did in the first leg. Press the ball high when they can, disrupt City’s midfield dominance and punish them on the break. Roberto Firmino was crucial last week, dropping into midfield and stopping Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne from controlling the tempo. But it’s easy to overlook the role emotion can play. City are at home and if they score first, it changes the mood. Pep Guardiola won’t mess around with his team this time. Raheem Sterling will give them more width, which will open up space for Leroy Sane on the other side. Sergio Aguero’s return can also make a huge difference and I expect a performance from De Bruyne. Last week was one of Anfield’s great European nights, but City have the chance to make this one of Liverpool’s worst ever. KEY MAN: SERGIO AGUERO City didn’t have a single shot on target in the first leg and missed plenty of clear-cut chances against Manchester United on Saturday. Starting Aguero tonight will make a big difference. His battle with Virgil van Dijk (below), who was excellent last week, could be key to deciding the tie. WHO’S GOING THROUGH? MAN CITY CHRIS SUTTON CITY CAN SCORE THE GOALS — BUT CAN THEY STOP THEM? It will be a long time before we see City perform as abjectly in attack as they did in the first leg. They have nothing to lose, so will go for the jugular. Pep Guardiola has the attacking quality in his side to score the goals required, but it’s his defence he should worry about. The goals they conceded against Liverpool and Manchester United will be nagging in their minds as one away goal kills the tie. City have been exposed at left back and whether it’s Fabian Delph, Aymeric Laporte or Danilo, Mo Salah will fancy his chances of causing havoc. Behind him, Trent AlexanderArnold needs another huge game. Questions were asked about his defensive ability before the first leg, but he was excellent up against Leroy Sane. Virgil van Dijk has rightly taken the plaudits for shoring up Liverpool at the back, but don’t underestimate Alexander-Arnold’s improvement. In the last eight games he has played, Liverpool have conceded just four goals. They might not be as watertight tonight, but Liverpool have shown in recent weeks they have the grit to match their flair. KEY MAN: VIRGIL VAN DIJK The match depends on how Liverpool respond to City’s onslaught. Leading from the back, Van Dijk’s influence on Liverpool’s defence since arriving in January cannot be overstated. We all knew about his ability, but his organisation has really helped full backs Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. His duel with Sergio Aguero is crucial. WHO’S GOING THROUGH? LIVERPOOL JAMIE REDKNAPP KLOPP IS ASKING FOR TROUBLE IF LIVERPOOL SIT BACK Defending is not Jurgen Klopp’s natural style. He has to treat tonight as a normal game, stop City playing out and trust his superb attacking three to get the goal that kills the tie. If Liverpool sit back, they’re asking for trouble. Klopp can’t stifle a game, he’s not Jose Mourinho, but you don’t want him to be. Pep Guardiola has the players to take the game away from opponents, but, regardless of what Barcelona did against Paris Saint-Germain last year, one away goal would make it too difficult for City. Klopp won’t go gung-ho — he’s too cute for that — but you have to go after City’s midfield, make them feel rushed. James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain offer energy and they will win the ball back in dangerous areas enough times to give

the likes of Mo Salah chances. KEY MAN: VIRGIL VAN DIJK Like Chris, I’ve been so impressed with Virgil van Dijk. His composure and mere presence have raised the level of every Liverpool defender, and goalkeeper Loris Karius has looked far more assured since Van Dijk’s move from Southampton. I wouldn’t be surprised if Simon Mignolet is thinking: ‘I wish I’d played behind him.’ Van Dijk won’t be worried by Sergio Aguero’s return either: The Argentine has never scored when facing Van Dijk. WHO’S GOING THROUGH? LIVERPOOL