Liverpool v Manchester City on Sunday is set to be a massive game. This game could have a big effect on the English game. A Liverpool win would put the Merseysider’s nine points clear of the reigning champions, which would be a huge gap to bridge considering that Liverpool have won ten of their 11 league games this season.
Liverpool have a history of blowing title leads
We all know about Liverpool’s history of snatching victory out of the jaws of defeat in recent years. However, when it has come to title races, they seem to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. They have a reputation for blowing seemingly unassailable leads.
Last season was a good example. Jurgen Klopp’s team headed into the reverse fixture between these two teams seven points ahead of City. A 2-1 win for the Citizens seemed to unsettle the players and led to a collapse that saw the men from Manchester nick the title by just a single point.
A massive opportunity for the Reds
The game on Sunday at Anfield is a chance for the home side to send out a signal that they are not going to slip-up this time in the title race. That they are determined to stretch their lead and not allow City back in.
Nerves will be jangling amongst the fans and they need their players to maintain their cool. The Reds have rather been crawling over the line in games of late. Klopp’s team cannot afford not to be at their best against the reigning champions. Despite injury problems, the Citizens still have a number of quality players.
The injury problems are in key areas of the field, especially against Liverpool’s potent forward line. Pep Guardiola’s team have struggled in defence since French centre-back Aymeric Laporte sustained a long-term injury. To add to their woe’s Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri is also ruled out also due to injury.
The key absentee could be Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson. The former Benfica stopper had to come off at half-time in the midweek Champions League game. The absence of their first-choice goalkeeper will do little to settle a very vulnerable backline. Everybody connected with City will be hoping that Ederson recovers, as his back-up Claudio Bravo is nowhere near the same standard as the Brazilian.
You have to fancy Liverpool for the win
Liverpool actually heads into Sunday’s game as underdogs at odds of 13/8 to beat Manchester City. On current form those odds make little sense. City have injury problems, plus the Citizens tend to struggle at Anfield.
The fact that Liverpool have built up outstanding winning momentum coupled with the Reds 43-game unbeaten run on home soil in the Premier League, you have to fancy the home side to emerge victorious.
However, there are sneaking little factors that may be in the back of the mind of those Reds playing. They have not been convincing of late in every game, while they may be distracted by a similar sort of scenario last season, which eventually proved fatal to their title bid.
Liverpool have to head into this game feeling confident. If they are to finally end that long title draught, then this is the game they have to win. These are the games that champions win. Whatever happens, the game should be a highly fascinating encounter between two teams that are simply streets ahead of the other teams in the Premier League.
Who will come out on top between the leaders and the reigning champions?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
