Clash of the giants
RED-HOT: LIVERPOOL WILL TEST PEP’S BIG-SPENDING CITY
London
Liverpool could hardly be in higher spirits as they set out on the short trip to Manchester City tomorrow hoping to make a strong case for their Premier League title prospects.
City and neighbours Manchester United, together with champions Chelsea, have already been installed as the trio most likely to contest the title, but optimism is surging on Merseyside after a free-scoring August.
A 4-0 thrashing of a compliant Arsenal side before the international break means Juergen Klopp’s side have seven points from nine during an opening period in which they also safely negotiated a Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim.
What is more, Liverpool’s transfer window business has been hailed as some of the best among the leading clubs.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah was rated by number-crunchers at the CIES Football Observatory as the bargain of the summer after arriving in a deal worth a reported £36 million from Roma and a goal on his debut plus strikes against Hoffenheim and Arsenal have quickly endeared him to Anfield’s faithful.
The deadline-day signing from Arsenal of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – a player Klopp believes can become a Liverpool great – adds more firepower to an attack already boasting Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino and which will soon be further boosted by the return from injury of Adam Lallana.
City, who also have seven points, have match-winners everywhere though, even if they will be without former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling who was sent off for over-celebrating a last-gasp winner against Bournemouth last time out.
While Sterling’s absence will be a blow, Guardiola’s options are so numerous that Sergio Aguero was only a substitute against Bournemouth and he is likely to return.
Leaders Manchester United, who have a 100% record and are yet to concede a goal while scoring 10, travel to Stoke City for tomorrow’s late kick-off. –