BIG MATCH GUIDE
IT HAS been 15 years since Manchester City last breached the Anfield fortress, but there will be a new pressure on Liverpool for this huge Premier League clash. Jurgen Klopp’s side are genuine title contenders. But after a tricky couple of weeks in which they have lost a little momentum, it will be fascinating to see how they handle a match which could have a big say in who is crowned champions. After defeat by Chelsea in the League Cup, they needed a last-minute wonder goal to rescue a draw at Stamford Bridge in the league. The late setback at Napoli has removed some of that air of invincibility they had built up. This is a game Liverpool must win to prove their title credentials. It reminds me of when Arsenal were going head to head with Manchester United. Who will win the league is not decided in a match this early in the campaign, but emerge victorious and it gives you immense belief you can do so. If you are on the winning side when the final whistle blows, you walk off feeling 10 feet tall. That is how Liverpool will feel if they defeat the champions.
LEARN FROM MESSI, MO
MO SALAH won almost as many awards as goals he scored in a brilliant debut campaign. He has not reached those same heights this season but tomorrow he can prove he is the real deal. Salah has only lost his way to a very small extent. He is still making the right movements and getting into good positions. What is missing is his sharpness in front of goal. He can take inspiration from Lionel Messi’s performance against Tottenham. Barca went to Wembley on a poor run of three games without a win, but Messi responded with a sensational peformance to prove he is the world’s greatest player. The biggest stages bring even more from the best. If Salah rediscovers his scoring touch then City are in trouble.
PEP MUST PICK KOMPANY
PEP GUARDIOLA has been managing Vincent Kompany’s game time. He played him in the League Cup at Oxford, then rested him for the league game against Brighton. Kompany may have played 90 minutes at Hoffenheim on Tuesday, but it is vital he starts at Anfield. He is still their guv’nor at the back and they are defensively more solid with him in the team. Guardiola has chopped and changed his centre backs this season. If he is picking his best XI to face Liverpool, it has to include Kompany (below).
NO FEAR! THE KLOPP FACTOR
WHY does Jurgen Klopp have the best record of any manager against Pep? It’s because he shows no fear. Whether it was facing Bayern Munich with Dortmund or City with Liverpool, Klopp always sets up his teams to win. If you sit off Guardiola’s teams, you invite them on. By going after them, you can exploit space they leave when they bomb forward. City cannot afford to be as gung-ho as they were in their three defeats by Liverpool last season. They were overconfident and played with too much freedom. I don’t think we’ll see Kyle Walker getting as high up the pitch at Anfield as he normally does. If City’s full backs commit too far forward, they risk exposing their central defenders to Liverpool’s front three. Guardiola will never change his philosophy, but his defenders must pick and choose when to join the attack.
KEITA’S CHANCE . . . IF FIT
IT WILL be a bitter blow for Liverpool if they are without Naby Keita. I have been immensely impressed with him. He is full of energy, pops up all over the pitch and links superbly with the forwards. While Klopp’s defence pick themselves, midfield is the area he juggles. Tomorrow could be the perfect opportunity for Keita to prove he should be a first-choice midfielder.
MY PREDICTION:
LIVERPOOL WIN 2-1