It’s Liverpool for the double.. I fear City will be damaged by yet another failure in Europe
LIVERPOOL are now favourites, in my book, to win both the title and the Champions League.
Manchester City will find the disappointment and psychological impact of saying goodbye to the Quadruple so damaging, I think they will do well to successfully defend their Premier League crown now.
Many thought this would be the season when City conquered Europe. But when all is said and done, the amazing Pep Guardiola (right) has so far taken them only as far as David Moyes took Manchester United in the competition. That has to hurt.
I think Liverpool will beat Barcelona in the semi-finals and go on to lift the trophy in Madrid.
And City will need to forge a sensational mentality to win their last five games and retain their Premier League crown – because I don’t see Liverpool dropping any points between now and the winning post.
Liverpool to beat Barca? Why not? Yes, Barca have the genius of Lionel Messi, and the Kop know all about Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho’s quality.
But can Barcelona’s defence live with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane? I’m not sure they can.
Defensively, I believe Virgil van Dijk is a more commanding linchpin than Gerard Pique.
Liverpool can beat them by exploiting the spaces left behind full-backs Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo, who will want to push on, and exposing centre-backs Pique and Clement Lenglet’s lack of pace.
There is also a case for telling James Milner to follow Messi like a shadow. Although Milner would be dedicated and disciplined, even then Messi could still be sensational, but the one thing you can’t do is to let him roam free.
As convincing as their win over Manchester United was in the end, Barcelona could have been 2-0 down in the first 10 minutes. Liverpool’s front three will give them all the trouble they can handle, and in midfield Jordan Henderson looks a player rejuvenated.
Sergio Busquets has been terrific for Barca, but I feel Liverpool can get a lot of joy if Henderson and Naby Keita run off him.
If Jurgen Klopp’s side play with as much conviction as they did in Porto, they are going to score at least one goal in the Nou Camp.
They have failed to find the net in only six of 46 competitive games this season, and they look a more mobile, dynamic team than Barcelona. The confidence they have gained from maximum points in home games with Tottenham and Chelsea looks to have stoked their boiler for the title run-in.
The prize many City supporters most wanted – the Champions League – has gone.
But the prize many Liverpool fans crave most of all – a first title in 29 years – is still there to be won.
If City drop points in their encore with Tottenham today or in the Manchester derby, they know it could be a fatal blow to their reign.
Can they recover from the heartbreak of that last-gasp VAR ruling against Spurs?
Although I tipped them to win the title by a point last month, I’m not sure they can – it was a shattering, devastating way to go out of the Champions League.
But I’m certain Liverpool have the firepower to win all their remaining Premier League games and prevail in Europe.
And that means the double for Jurgen Klopp.