Liverpool’s third win over Manchester City this season was the biggest. The Reds are in the final four of Europe’s top competition.
After the 3-0 loss at Anfield, Manchester City needed early goals to stay competitive. A second-minute goal by Gabi Jesus gave Guardiola hope that the comeback could happen. The story of the first half wasn’t the goal. It was Pep Guardiola’s antics and frustrations at the referees that caused him to get sent to the stands.
Pep Guardiola was sent off after the first half.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2018
Man City will need to stage the comeback with their manager in the stands. pic.twitter.com/sWFHN1AWIu
Manchester City was unable to engineer the comeback for the ages (Roma was too busy doing that) after their manager sat with the fans. Liverpool secured a place in the semifinals with two more goals from the reliable Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino. Both goals took Liverpool’s Champions League total to 33, the most ever by an English team in the history of the tournament.
Mo Salah delivers again!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2018
Liverpool get a massive away goal to equalize on the night, and suddenly City need 4 goals to advance. pic.twitter.com/mXLO2DpexS
Liverpool breaks their ten-year semifinal drought and will attempt to make the final for the first time since 2007. They have played two more games in this season’s Champions League than any other team remaining and they have been simply amazing. The season of a lifetime by Mo Salah is the biggest difference, but another great performance by Trent Alexander-Arnold this afternoon keeps the dream alive to put Liverpool back on the map as a European giant.
The semifinals will bring another tough foe for Liverpool. AS Roma proved themselves with their remarkable three-goal comeback to send Messi and Barcelona packing. The edge Klopp could have in that match-up would be Salah’s knowledge of Roma, his former team. If Sevilla does comeback to beat Bayern Munich, they aren’t an easy task either. Sevilla came back from a 3-0 deficit against Liverpool in the group stage to draw 3-3. More challenges await for Jurgen Klopp.
Man City need more
For Manchester City, it’s another missed opportunity to win the Champions League. Every year it seems they get closer and closer to having a team that can win it all in Europe. They don’t have that just yet. To win this competition, you need at least a player at a few positions that are close to or the best on the planet. Man City is missing high-class talent in key areas.
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best-attacking midfielders on the planet. That takes care of the midfield. The Citizens are lacking a top-five defender in the world and a top-seven striker. To make Manchester City a legitimate Champions League threat, they probably need to splash the cash on a name that is instantly recognized as one of the best players in the world. Maybe Paulo Dybala or Antoine Griezmann can take them over that hump.
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The incredible season of Liverpool will continue in the semifinals of the Champions League. Manchester City will try to clinch the Premier League title on Saturday at Tottenham. Who could have predicted both Liverpool and Roma making the Champions League semifinals? If you did, I don’t believe you.