Moyes for long term
THIS will be the 10th Champions League knockout tie between English clubs, six of these have involved Liverpool (including this tie). They and Manchester City meet for the 179th time in all competitions, but this will be their first-ever meeting in European competition. The two matches between Liverpool and Manchester City so far this season have produced 12 goals in total, with 26 per cent of the shots attempted scored (12/47). Jurgen Klopp has won six matches against Pep Guardiola in all competitions, more than any other manager (excluding shootouts). Two of these victories came as Liverpool manager (in four attempts). Including qualifiers, this will be Liverpool’s 11th Champions League match this season – they are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 (W6 D4 L0) and kept a clean sheet in half of these (5). Liverpool haven’t lost a home match in European competition since October 2014 (0-3 vs Real Madrid) and are now unbeaten in 14 European games at Anfield (W9 D5 L0). City will be appearing in a Champions League quarter-final tie for only the second time – the first occasion was in 2015-16, when they progressed over two legs versus Paris Saint-Germain, 3-2 on aggregate. Liverpool are the topscoring team in the Champions League this season following the quarterfinal stage (28 goals). The record tally of goals by an English team in a single Champions League campaign is 32 by Manchester United d in 2002-03, while Liverpool’s club record is 29 goals in 2007-08. Under Guardiola, City have recorded their two biggest away wins in the Champions League proper this season. They recorded 4-0 victories on the road against both Feyenoord and Basel. Of the eight remaining sides in the Champions League 2017-18, Liverpool (25 years 311 days) and Manchester City (26 years 134 days) have had the youngest average starting XIs in the competition this season. Manchester City’s Germany international Leroy Sane (left) has scored three goals in his two appearances against Liverpool so far in 2017-18. Roberto Firmino (below) has been involved in 10 goals (seven goals, three assists) in the Champions League this season – only Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been involved in more (16). Mo Salah has had a hand in seven goals (six goals, one assist) in eight Champions League appearances so far this season. Before 2017-18, he’d scored three goals and had not assisted in any of his 15 appearances in the Champions League. Karius Alex-Arnold Lovren Van Dijk Robertson Wijnaldum Henderson Oxlade Salah Firmino Mane Ederson Walker Otamendi Kompany Laporte Fernandinho Silva De Bruyne Sterling Jesus Sane
Live on BT Sport 2 from 7pm WEST HAM want to keep boss David Moyes beyond this season.
The Scot, under contract until the end of the current campaign, has taken West Ham five points clear of the drop zone. The 54-year-old has coped with in-fighting between the fans and the board, a crippling injury list and frustration at failing to land his transfer targets.
West Ham are pleased with his motivational skills and the discipline he has instilled in the squad.
Record signing Marko Arnautovic – without a goal under Slaven Bilic – has scored 10 in 17 Premier League games since Moyes took over in November.
And England keeper Joe Hart and midfielder Michail Antonio have both responded positively after being axed by Moyes.