SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS is a rarity – a Manchester City player who knows what it’s like to celebrate a victory in front of the Kop.
Anfield has been a graveyard for City over the last 75 years.
Six wins on Liverpool soil since the Second World War.
And just two victories in the last four decades – the last in 2003 when a young WrightPhillips was at his brilliant best.
Kevin Keegan’s unpredictable side stormed the Merseyside barricades to claim a 2-1 victory that dealt a devastating blow to Gerard Houllier’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Nicolas Anelka scored both City goals – including a lastminute thunderbolt at the Kop end after the chance had been served up to him by a slick exchange of City passes between Wright-Phillips and former Anfield hero Robbie Fowler.
Wright-Phillips, 39, who played for City for nine years in two spells either side of a threeyear stint at Chelsea, said: “I remember the game well.
“It wasn’t exactly a City team that was winning trophies. It had been a rollercoaster season for us. We never knew whether we were going to win or lose.
“But we had already beaten Manchester United that season – and that made us believe we could beat anyone.
“We had some quality players. Nicolas and Robbie were up front, there was Ali Benarbia in midfield – and we also had Peter Schmeichel in goal.
“Peter was brilliant that day – he had to be – but we made sure Liverpool had to put out as many fires as we did.
“It’s unbelievable to think that was the last time City won at Anfield, given the teams and players the club has had since the takeover.
“But it is probably the hardest place in the Premier League to go and get a result.
“If you don’t believe in yourself you’ve got no chance. Liverpool will eat you up.
“But the way City are playing at the moment makes me think they might have too much for Liverpool this time.”
Pep Guardiola has never won at Anfield.
His five visits as City boss have brought four defeats and a draw.
And when he was part of the Barcelona team that came for their UEFA Cup semifinal in April
2001, it was the home side who prevailed. Gary McAllister’s penalty secured a 1-0 aggregate win after a 0-0 at the Nou Camp.
Wright-Phillips, who hung up his boots in 2017 after winding down his career in the MLS with New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising, believes City have gone short of good fortune at Anfield. He said: “Even at the highest level, you
need that with Ruben Dias and John Stones, gives me a lot of confidence.
“I don’t think Pep or his players will worry about the past. But what does have to happen if you’re going to take anything away from Anfield is that your best players have to turn up.
“Pep is a genius. Look at how Raheem Sterling has improved under him. It hasn’t really happened for him playing against Liverpool, but he’s a really strong character.
“I don’t think he’s got a mental block when it comes to playing them. Raheem scored against Liverpool after lockdown and I think the fact that Anfield will be empty will help him.
“Full, it’s the noisiest, most hostile place to go. The fans get on your back as you walk out of the tunnel and they don’t leave you alone for 90 minutes.”