18 Yard Box has a look at the Super Sunday clash between the Sky Blues and the Reds.
Liverpool,
with possibly the most testing pair of mid-week and weekend matches for this
gameweek, travel to the Eastlands for the return leg against the defending
Champions. They must be disappointed at letting Arsenal claw back into the game
after a first half lead through Suarez and Henderson adding on the hour, though
they did well to withstand Arsenal’s barrage of attacks after the equaliser. Whereas Manchester City could not finish the job against the league bottom QPR.
The two teams play a very important match at this crucial stage and 18 Yard Box has a look at it and predicts the outcome.
Recap
 |
| Last time they ended the night as equals |
The 1st leg at the Anfield was a pretty
entertaining match which ended in a draw, though the reds could have easily
taken home all 3 points. Skrtel’s stunning header of a corner by Gerrard took
Liverpool to 1-0 lead through the break. Yaya Toure then responded in the 63rd
minute to bring parity, for all of 3 minutes. Jack Rodwell conceded a free-kick
which was promptly dispatched into the net by Luis Suarez with a beautiful
curler. Skrtel, high up the left flank, made the most unbelievable defensive
mistake, assisting (for want of a better word) Tevez to an open shot at goal.
The game ended a 2-2 draw.
Signings
and Injury Update
Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers has
the relief of an almost injury free squad, barring Kelly. The return of the
sorely missed Jose Enrique is a major defensive boost. In an official
statement, Liverpool have stated that Coutinho, who is in Italy, won’t start
the game. That apart, Rodgers has the full squad at his disposal. Manchester
City have been surprisingly quite in the transfer window, only sold Balotelli
to A.C. Milan. They have made no additions to the 1st team as such. The
loss of captain Kompany, along with Maicon and Micah Richards, is a severe blow
to the Citizens defensively.
Manchester
City
After a long unbeaten streak, they tasted defeat
first (in the league) in the Manchester derby. Till then, they had looked set
to defend their title. They have since lost to the likes of Sunderland and
drawn plenty. Mancini would be looking at this opportunity to act as a spring
board to cut the gap down to 7 with United snatching a victory against Fulham
on Saturday night.
Strengths
 |
| The trio can demolish any defence |
If City have a notable strength, apart from the miserly
defence, it has to be the set of proven match-winners who can turn almost any
match on its head. In the form of the Silva, Tevez, and Aguero, the Citizens
have a formidable attack. Super-sub Edin Dzeko adds another dimension to the
attack scoring late and often seemingly impossible goals. The back 4 are
statistically the best in the league, having conceded the fewest goals (19).
Matija Nastasic has been the find of the season, being touted to take the place
of Vidic after his retirement. Joe Hart lends dependability between the
sticks.
Weaknesses
 |
| City will miss the midfield powerhouse |
Ironically, this expensively assembled squad has been a weakness by itself.
Except for the defence, the show of most other players has been lacklustre when
compared to their class. David Silva’s form has been patchy to say the least.
Opposing teams have found ways to keep Tevez and Aguero quiet, largely. Gareth
Barry has shown nothing of note to justify his transfer from Villa Park. The
midfield has failed to click at the level it was expected to after last season.
Joe Hart too has not always been at his best. This hasn’t meant a dearth of goals,
they have scored 45; and in terms of title challenges in the league they lag
behind their neighbours by 10 points. But this indifferent form has seen them
unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League. Their recent form guide
shows wins against teams in the bottom half of the league, but QPR managed to
hold them at home in a scoreless match. In short, they just haven’t looked a
team set to retain the title in far too many matches for their liking
.
To add to
this City will miss their midfield mountain, Yaya Toure, who is away on
international duty in the AFCON for Ivory Coast. The midfielder has been a
major force for City ever since his arrival and his strength and burst to get
goalside of the opposition defence has been a treat to watch.
Importance
of the Win
A win will take the Citizens to 55 points. United have
already did their business in the weekend and a win is greatly needed to keep
United in sight. A win and the points would be worth their weight in gold, as
the business end of the league fast approaches.
Liverpool
After dominating in the first half, they simply lost the plot in attack against
Arsenal. They were unable to cope with the Gunners resurgence within minutes of
their lead. This has exposed their fallacy against sudden counter-attacks. This
has been the case with Liverpool the whole season and they, due to their inconsistency,
have been on the receiving end of some shocking results. Brendan Rodgers has
bought well in the transfer market and
this should galvanize the team and re-instil their belief.
Strengths
 |
| Suarez oozes class |
Former Ajax man Luis Suarez has been the one player in the team, every opponent
is wary of. With clinical displays in front of the goal, he has relished the
service from the midfield. He has been to Liverpool the talisman, as van Persie
was last season for Arsenal. Young star Raheem Sterling has impressed right
through the season. The addition of a striker like Sturridge has filled, at
least temporarily, the void in the Reds frontline. Gerrard and company have
recovered well from Liverpool’s worst start to a season since 1962, and are
surely looking more assured of themselves and the new passing style that
Rodgers has brought.
Weakness
 |
| The duo need to step up |
Oddly
enough, inspite of having top class defenders in Daniel Agger and Skrtel, the
defence is a big worry for Liverpool. Jose Enrique gives his all on the field,
and has the penchant for a foray up field too. Against Oldham, simple
regulation crosses were not handled with. They seem overawed when faced with
players of Giroud’s or Toure’s ilk, with height and heading abilities. It has been
a big chink in their armour all season. Add to it their inconsistency, and this
team is uncertain about itself during matches. Over-reliance on their star
players like Suarez and Gerrard is dangerous during matches. That apart, in the
midfield, the deep-lying pivot position of Joe Allen does not provide enough
cover for the back four. Though Nuri Sahin has since left for Dortmund, no
player has been signed to be the defensive mid-fielder. New signing Coutinho is
himself an attacking midfielder. This has seen even their strikers and wingers
tracking back quite a few times.
Importance
of a win
A win will
keep the Reds in the hunt for a decisive Champions League spot. A loss will
well and truly end any Champions League hopes which they might harbour. A draw will
only see them helping the cause of old arch-rivals Manchester United.
The Final Verdict
Manchester
City are seemingly clear winners, again on paper. But writing off a Liverpool
surprise is tantamount to foolishness. With their backs to the wall, they might
bring out an unbelievable performance, maybe from the Liverpool of old. However,
City are favourites to start this one and might come out on tops with a
probable 3-2 scorline.
Written By,
Abhishek Karandikar
Abhishek is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
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