The Four Things That Liverpool Need To Do To Get The Three Points Against City

With the Premier League title already sewn up, Liverpool may not necessarily be firing on all cylinders when they travel to face Manchester City at the Etihad tomorrow.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is, however, insisting that the players keep their concentration ahead of the game. There should be two key motivations going into the match.

Firstly, they should be looking to put down a marker ahead of next season and ensure City can’t take any confidence from the game. Secondly, a victory for the Reds will keep them on track for a record points total.

Press the next page as we look at the four things that Liverpool need to get right if they are to come away with the three points.

1) Shackle De Bruyne

Keeping the Belgian quiet is easier said than done, but the midfielder is City’s key creative spark, along with David Silva, and Klopp will want to nullify his impact on the game.

To do this, Georginio Wijnaldum will likely play a pivotal role. De Bruyne loves to occupy the half-spaces between the left-back and the left centre-back, and Liverpool’s midfield will need to block his path for through balls and crosses. Gini has the energy to track the City star and make life difficult for him.

2) Exploit City’s key vulnerability

Defensively, City are strongest on the left-hand side due to the presence of Aymeric Laporte, and whoever plays alongside him will need to be targeted by the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Fernandinho is suspended so it’s likely to be either Nicolas Otamendi or John Stones; both of whom are error-prone. Liverpool should get some joy if they focus their play on City’s right-hand side.

3) Press the ball and force mistakes

Due to the way Pep Guardiola sets up his team, City are very vulnerable in transition. They play a high line and take up unorthodox positions when in possession.

The vast majority of the goals they have conceded in recent months have been down to mistakes when in possession of the ball. The Reds have shown they are able to press City effectively in past games; forcing them into making errors and creating goal-scoring opportunities in the process.

4) Cross the ball regularly

Without Vincent Kompany at the back, City have shown themselves to be more susceptible to crosses, which was demonstrated in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Anfield back in November.

Mo Salah’s goal from an Andy Robertson cross, as well as Sadio Mane’s third from a Jordan Henderson delivery, show it is an area of weakness that the Reds should continue to exploit.

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