REDS Coach Jurgen Klopp is not only
anticipating the clash against Manchester
City but, also braced for the stern test
Pep Guardiola’s side will offer at Anfield
when both sides clash today.
The Reds retook the second spot from the
Citizens after see- ing off Mark Hughes’
Potters at home in midweek and are now
primed to cement their second spot
against the visitors as both sides
continue to chase table topping Chelsea.
An excited Jurgen Klopp was caught on
the sidelines celebrat- ing the Reds’
emphatic win over Stoke last time out as
the Merseyside outfit kept the EPL dream
alive at Anfield.
Having watched Arsenal, Chelsea,
Manchester United and today’s opponent
secure wins in their respective fixtures on
boxing day, the Kops and their German
coach knew a win against Stoke was
non- negotiable in order to keep the
momentum going at the EPL summit.
And against Gaurdiola’s side today, Klopp
is ready to continue the streak.
City has always struggled against
Liverpool, history and stats clearly
favours the mer- seysiders. Hence,
another win is likely on the card for the
Reds.
Hear Jurgen Klopp after the Reds win
over stoke:”It is a dif- ficult game for both
teams but exciting, and the best thing is
that it is at Anfield.
“They are an outstanding side, we are not
too bad, so it will be a nice game. I
respect them a lot but I was not in the
City stadium this season or last season
(as a spectator), only to play games.”
For Pep Guardiola, Liverpool offers the
platform to evaluate his side’s recent
resurgence. The Catalan had seen his
meteoric rise-that saw him storm the EPL
table with ten out of ten wins-come to a
halt. Series of draws and defeats since
the end of the international break had
seen City stutter and drop points to hand
Chelsea the upper hand before their mini-
resurgence that had seen them scrap four
wins consecutively to sit third on the
table.
Against the Reds today, Guardiola would
look to usurp Klopp and reclaim number
two spot.
To accomplish this, he will have Aguero
back-after the Argentine got a four-
match ban for deadly tackle against David
Luiz in City’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea-
alongside rejuvenated Yaya Toure in the
midfield and Nigerian prodigy, Kelechi
Iheanacho to spearhead the attack.
Iheanacho should definitely make the
squad after his goal and impressive
display against Hull last time out.
For the host, Klopp has at- tacking
talents in abundance.
Liverpool did not show any sign of
Coutinho nolstagia. The maverick
midfielder has been missing due to injury
but, the likes of Firmino,Sadio Mane,
Divock Origi and Adam Lallana have kept
the team buzzing.
Hence, they would be expect- ed to go for
the Citizen under the tutelage of their
outstanding captain, Jordan Henderson.
Comments