Champions League: Liverpool travel to Manchester City to complete the job
A three goal advantage normally sounds like a mountain to climb for normal clubs. However, the two English clubs involved in this quarter-final, second leg are not your average Joe’s.
Before this tie started the underdog was the team in red and the side sitting third in the English Premier League table. Move on a bit after a leg has been played and the underdog title selected a new host in Manchester City.
Liverpool, expected to leak in goals at home was able to hold on for 59 minutes and keep a clean sheet until the final whistle had gone. This match went against the scriptures when the Anfield side eased three goals past City without a reply.
Just a couple of months back these two squared off inside the same arena and entertained the world to a seven goal thriller – something I was sure would repeat itself. But even the greatest of masters are proven wrong, time to time.
Is it safe to say… Things have improved for the Reds and Klopp since then? Or… Has Pep’s golden Premier League team been broken? Who knows – with tonight being the best test for the men in blue, as they kit up and get ready for a battle fit to be the sequel of the movie 300.
https://twitter.com/JcVerratti10/status/982325914997489664
Back-to-back losses for a club who only experienced two losses afore the Champions League meeting. First the monstrous European upset – then a Manchester United comeback in the Manchester derby – with the same amount of goals put past in midweek.
The wheels are falling off the bus – Jesus take the wheel from Pep!
Six goals in two games with City being the team mentioned? Unheard of and not done before this weekend past. With little odds standing in their favour, they still stand a chance to get their place in the semifinals of Europe’s biggest club stage.
What to expect from the two English powerhouses?
The home side manager has backed his masterful Citizens to finish the tie on top, something any manager will do. The visiting manager with clear thoughts in his press conference, knowing they ride three cars ahead of their rivals in the race for the semis – feels confident but not cocky.
Both managers treated each other with the utmost respect when talking to the press. Klopp not taking things lightly and Pep, not willing to take his foot off the gas. The night will be pretty simple.
Liverpool’s ruthless counter-attacking football versus, Man City’s outstanding brand of football. Pretty balanced and the weight of the first goal pivotal to the result in this case. If the Reds score first, game over. If City score first… game on!
Liverpool XI to face Manchester City this evening. #LFC pic.twitter.com/7ilibQHwbF
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) April 10, 2018
A major boost for the travellers is the inclusion of Mo Salah, who was lively and full of smiles during Melwood training sessions. A plus for the home team – the possibility of Sterling not starting after missing sitters over the weekend.
The game will see many goals no doubt. Questions to be asked… Will it be one team to score all the goals, or will it be both clubs putting goals in on either end of the pitch?
#PremierLeague | @ManCity Starting lineup vs @LFC pic.twitter.com/ua5uH6whPU
— News24 Sport (@Sport24news) September 9, 2017
Next: Saturday Matchday 33 roundup
Liverpool unbeaten in 11 Champions League fixtures and Manchester City seeking a way out of a massive pothole. Who will be the English club to pass the test – a team with all the European history? Or a team wanting to write a new chapter in their recent fortune?