Liverpool vs
Manchester City Preview
Liverpool look to continue their assault on the top four as
they host Champions Manchester City.
How things have changed since the last time Man City came to
Anfield. Last time Liverpool had won nine in a row and were looking like
favourites to win the league. The atmosphere was electric and a wonderful
strike from Philippe Coutinho after a mistake from Vincent Kompany of all
people put Liverpool in the driver’s seat.
We all know how it turned out but despite the disappointing
end Liverpool finished second and secured champions league football. The reds
enter this game in good form but the circumstances are remarkably different.
Liverpool in in sixth. They aren’t scoring goals for fun and
they don’t have strikers playing out of their skin in the SAS. Instead the team
is more solid, having a good defensive record and building on that foundation.
I don’t think any Liverpool fan is feeling as optimistic as
they were last time. We all thought that the league title could return to
Anfield after all those years but it wasn’t to be. While such stakes aren’t
present it is still an incredibly important game for both sides.
A win for Liverpool would be vital in their pursuit for
fourth place. They have every right to feel confident after winning five of
their last six league games and not losing in the league in 2015 so far. A
disappointing loss on Thursday night aside Liverpool’s performances have been
very good and they have certainly looked like a top four side.
Manchester City meanwhile know they cannot afford any more
slip ups. Realistically I don’t think they will retain their title this year,
they’ve already lost too much ground. Five points may not seem like that big a
gap but it’s not like they’re going to win every game they have left and I
think they’re way too reliant on Yaya Toure.
City only won once in the league while the Ivorian
midfielder was at the African cup of Nations and I shudder to think what would
happen if he got injured.
They will form a tough test however for the Reds in their
quest for top four, particularly after a disappointing and long game on
Thursday. L
Liverpool also have multiple injury problems. Mamadou Sakho
and Philippe Coutinho will likely return to the side however after missing the
last game. Steven Gerrard will miss the game however and Jordan Henderson will
have to be assessed.
These games are always tough to call. There will be an added
spice with a team from Liverpool playing a team from Manchester and both teams
suffered a loss in Europe in midweek. I think a draw is the most likely result
here.
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