Premier League: The Match That Defined The Season

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Fabinho of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on November 10, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /

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Liverpool have been at this place before.

The last time they played Manchester City in a league match, they were on the top of the table by six points and with a chance to possibly land the decisive blow to win the Premier League they lost.

Now, under the protective embrace of the crowds of supporters in their Anfield fortress, they had their chance again. A victory could propel them to their first league title in a generation on the table and mentally. By knocking off the defending champions, the signal would be sent amid the noise.

We are unstoppable

Jurgen Klopp hinted at his side’s growing championship mentality at his pre-match press conference:

"Everything is on the plate. Nobody hides anything. We both try to deny the strength of the other, which we have to do, you cannot only be offensive but if you are not brave against Man City you have no chance, not even for a point. We have to create. Positioning must be nearly perfect, protection must be perfect, movement, different ideas – there’s a lot in a game like this and it’s possible that it will be 0-0 like last year. (Via: ThisIsAnfield.com)"

Klopp mentioned two key concepts: bravery and perfection. He clearly understood at that moment the critical intangible pieces that would allow his club to clear the high hurdle of beating the champions and writing a new script.

The question was: Could the Reds combine these two concepts on the pitch?

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