LET’S POP PEP’S BUBBLE
Red Robbo reckons pressure will see City crack up at Kop
ANDREW ROBERTSON has cranked up the mind games by claiming treble-chasing Manchester City could feel the Champions League heat at Anfield tonight.
Pep Guardiola’s champions-elect, who won the Carabao Cup in February, start as strong favourites ahead of the twolegged showdown.
But Liverpool have already beaten City this season – ending their unbeaten Premier League run in January following their thrilling 4-3 win.
And Scottish star Robertson believes the expectancy surrounding City’s trophy bid could play into his side’s hands.
He said: “They are going for a lot of trophies and maybe that can give them added pressure.
“The Champions League is completely different. We don’t feel we are lucky to be here. We deserve to be here, we are at the same point.
“You could say there is more pressure on them if they know they are the best team in the league.
“They are playing against the team that are third right now, so maybe there is more pressure on them. We can hopefully use that to our advantage. If you want to say we are underdogs, then so be it.
“They have been the best team, they are going to win the league, but this quarter-final is two games. It will be a big occasion. We will look forward to it. We won’t fear it but we will be cautious of their strengths.”
This time last season Robertson was in the middle of a relegation fight with Hull.
Now the defender is preparing for a huge knockout clash in Europe’s top club competition.
He said: “I’d rather be playing in this game than the games we were battling for our lives in last season.
“When you are fighting relegation, there is so much riding on it. Dropping down a league, people lose their jobs, contracts and stuff like that.”
Jurgen Klopp wants to see his Liverpool side at full throttle