Footballs Of Steel
The past weekend saw a remarkable run of results continue, as Liverpool saw off Newcastle at St James' Park. The Reds are in the midst of a battle across three remaining fronts, with Villarreal dispatched after a minor scare in midweek.
Earlier in the year I wrote a piece named ‘Rotation, Rotation, Rotation’, as the Reds continued to smartly use the depth of their squad. It’s always been a tricky subject for clubs that partake in rotation, as the squads' …
Observations: Liverpool book their place in the Final
The most notable factor in the buildup to the FA Cup semi-final was the team selection of Man City. The absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker was expected after their midweek knocks, but Pep Guardiola also rested Rodri, Ederson, and Laporte. This ended up being crucial, as City no longer had their three best tempo controllers from deep positions. Whilst in the league meeting, City had done an excellent job of neutering Liverpool's press before launching comfortable long …
RAW: Hapless Henderson & Sloppy Set Pieces
It was billed as the title decider between the best two football teams on the planet. A chance to expand the lead over Liverpool for Man City, or an opportunity for the Reds to go clear at the top of the table.
On Post-Match RAW, Trevor Downey was joined by Jim Boardman and Dave Hendrick to look back at the 2-2 draw with the Citizens at the Ethiad.
First up is Dave, who wasn't pleased with elements of the side …
Observations: The Great Rivals don't give each other an inch
Similar to their first clash at Anfield, Liverpool and Man City were the better team for one half each at the Etihad. Man City stifled Liverpool and broke through after waves of pressure, then in the second half, the Reds closed down the paths through and created a number of quick attack opportunities.
The first half display from Liverpool was largely due to City's excellent press. Guardiola tweaked the team shape for the game, using a 4-2-3-1 with Sterling as …
Bobby & The Etihad Corral
The gunfight at the O.K Corral is an historical moment that has been retold many times over, throughout various western movies. Depending on your age, movies that still seem fairly modern to me will probably be deemed ancient by the generations born after me. Tombstone was a brilliant film that had every scene stolen by Val Kilmer, as the notorious gunslinger, Doc Holiday. This man was a peculiar man, that had a charming manner and bespoke ability in particular situations. …
Klopp vs Pep - The Numbers Behind The Rivalry
Is it the greatest rivalry in the history of English football? Jurgen Klopp versus Pep Guardiola, Liverpool versus Manchester City. Records are constantly being broken: the first and only team to achieve 100 points in a league season (Man City - 2017/18); the biggest lead ever in English football at the top of the table (Liverpool, 25 points - 2019/20); most consecutive wins in all competitions (Man City - 23, 2021/22); earliest title victory in history (Liverpool, with seven games …
Tactical Breakdown: Liverpool 1-4 Manchester City
Liverpool fell to a third straight league defeat as Manchester City won 4-1 at Anfield. The result all but rubberstamped Manchester City's attempts to reclaim the title, yet the scoreline flatters to deceive in a game that was closely contested but ultimately decided by a number of key individual errors from Liverpool.
Systems
Liverpool were set up in their usual 4-3-3. Initially, they pressed across the front, but as the game wore on their pressing waned. The midfield of Thiago, …
Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview - Reds do battle to keep failing title hopes alive
THE DETAILS
Venue – Anfield, Liverpool
Referee – Michael Oliver
Date & Time – Sunday, February 7th @ 16:30
Current Odds – Liverpool 12/5, Draw 11/4, Manchester City 21/20
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This game has grown in stature in recent years as Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City established themselves as the two main powerhouses in the Premier League. The last few weeks have seen Liverpool's topsy-turvy form cost them dearly in their pursuit of a second consecutive league title. …
Tactical Breakdown: Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool
As I have grown up, I have witnessed titanic clashes between footballing behemoths. Games for which the world would stand still for 90 minutes in order to witness the spectacle. In the early noughties, it was Arsenal and Manchester United; then Chelsea and United; Liverpool and Ferguson's side followed briefly, before the rise of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona precipitated a new dimension to El Clasico, now a monumental clash between the world's two finest teams. Matches between Klopp's Borussia Dortmund and …
Manchester City vs Liverpool Preview - Etihad bears witness to the first title-rivals clash of the season
THE DETAILS
Venue – Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee – Craig Pawson
Date & Time – Sunday, November 8th @ 16:30
Current Odds – Manchester City 19/20, Draw 16/5, Liverpool 23/10
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Five points separate these sides as they prepare to do battle at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening. Liverpool look well-primed to push for the Premier League title again and City will certainly rise among the placings as the weeks progress.
Both sides will see this weekend's clash as the …