#EPL – FootballFanatic

An obstacle ever so familiar to Liverpool is back- will they finally overcome it?

Almost every football fan around the globe is aware of the events on April 10th.

Liverpool face familiar foes Manchester City, with the pair having their closest title race since the 2018/19 season. Even then, since 2018, it has been one or the other topping the league table, or finishing runners-up, except for 2021, and that was due to Liverpool’s unanimous injury crisis at the back. The last time they had such a crucial game was in 2019, at the same venue and against the same opponents, in the 18/19 season.

What has changed since 2018/19?

Now, Liverpool are back- and its not the same machine City will be facing.

Liverpool have let go of Gini Wijnaldum, Dejan Lovren and Xherdan Shaqiri from their title winning squad of 2020- and have signed Kostas Tsimikas, Thiago, Diogo Jota, Ibou Konate and crucially, Luis Diaz.

It’s not the same system either compared to the last time they had to meet Manchester City in a game this big- at the Etihad at the start of 2019.

Jurgen Klopp has consistently insisted on a high line since their Champions League triumph, and this season, as been using Liverpool’s right hand midfielder as a Mezzala, or a more ‘extreme’ box-to-box midfielder.

Liverpool’s woes at the Etihad- could it be changed?

At the Etihad, Liverpool have lost to Manchester City by an aggregate of 7-3 since 2018/19. And that’s just sugarcoating it- Klopp’s men have lost 13-4 on aggregate since Pep’s reign.

They’ve:

Drawn 1-1 in the 16/17 season
Lost 5-0 in the 17/18 season
Lost 2-1 in the 18/19 season
Lost 4-0 in the 19/20 season
Drawn 1-1 in the 20/21 season

At the Etihad. Crucially, the context of all the games were slightly in Manchester City’s favor:

16/17- Both Klopp and Pep still adapting to the PL
17/18- Down to 10 men, Liverpool defense wasn’t as solid compared to now
18/19- Goal line clearance, Sane consistently turning it on against Liverpool but has now left City
19/20- The week after Liverpool’s 30 year title drought ended, lack of focus in the City game
20/21- Loss of Virgil van Dijk, as well as a rare switch to the 4-2-3-1 by Klopp due to Jota’s good form.

So is it possible they can finally end their pain at the Etihad?

They can, but it’s not going to be easy.

For the first time in a while as of current circumstances, Liverpool have a fit squad. It is likely their XI is better than Manchester City’s, but the depth City have is phenomenal and is what pushes them to the PL title on most occasions.

Potential Starting Lineups?

Aha. Now that’s something which is a lot easier to determine.

In Liverpool’s squad, the strongest defence and midfield are easy to determine.

But with the signing of Luis Diaz, things get tricky. Liverpool tend to have a few attackers who easily lose the ball such as Diogo Jota, and Sadio Mane’s first touch has seem to have left him.

Liverpool Starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Diaz

As for Manchester City, it’s likely they’ll stick to the same lineup as the reverse fixture. With De Bruyne in hot form, its impossible for him to be dropped, as well as the dribbling prowess of Bernado Silva. The question is whether Ruben Dias is available.

Manchester City Starting XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Foden, Grealish, Sterling

It’s going to be a crazy game, that’s all I can say. Not going to predict the match as I support Liverpool unfortunately!

The Quadruple is imminent, yet a long journey for Klopp’s Liverpool

Liverpool are about to have one of their most season-defining months in their history.

Actually, that’s quite the understatement.

It could be one of their most iconic run of games in their history. Jurgen Klopp’s men are still participating in all competitions being a point (69) behind Manchester City (70) in the Premier League, as well as in the FA Cup Semi-Finals, where they face Pep Guardiola’s men in order to reach their second final this season. One can’t forget the elusive Champions League trophy, and Liverpool are no stranger to it- aiming to win their 7th CL trophy in their history this campaign.

[Credit: The Mirror] Jurgen Klopp faces one of the most challenging months in his managerial career, which could prove crucial for the club’s history.

Liverpool’s Run of Games:

Watford (H, PL)
Benfica (A, UCL)
Manchester City (A, PL)
Benfica (H, UCL)
Manchester City (N, FA Cup)
Manchester United (H, PL)
Everton (H, PL)
Bayern Munich/Villarreal (H, UCL)
Newcastle (A, PL)

*Liverpool will need to proceed to the UCL Semi-Finals first, before playing Bayern or Villarreal.

Having eight games in 60 days is normal for a club without European football, and having around 11-12 games in 60 days, or 5-6 games in a month is standard in modern football for clubs playing European football.

Liverpool have 8 to 9 games this month alone.

It pretty much depicts the relentless schedule in modern football, and as previously stated- a challenging month for any football team.

Questions were asked of this Liverpool team at the start of the season and whether they can scrape top 4- let alone the quadruple, especially with depth not as strong as the likes of Manchester City.

With the new weapon of Luis Diaz, as well as the addition of exuberant youth such as Harvey Elliot, Liverpool’s squad depth has really been one of their positives since the start of the calendar year- the increased competition for Sadio Mane’s LW spot, or even using his versatility is how an extra player in Luis Diaz has affected this team.

Ultimately, its going to come down to Klopp’s rotation- is it possible to field the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Owen Beck, or even an out-of-form Oxlade-Chamberlain in the FA Cup? Yes.

Is it possible start these players against Manchester City however? Well, other than Kostas Tsimikas, it is quite difficult for the Ox and an inexperienced RB to start against the PL champions. It’s how smartly Klopp will rotate.

At the same time, Liverpool fans- enjoy the ride. It’s quite likely there won’t be such a unique month (other than May if Liverpool are in all competitions) in our history, ever. More importantly, enjoy Klopp’s reign- 2024 isn’t that far away.