As we approach the huge clash between Liverpool and Premier League champions Manchester City, Pep Guardiola must ensure he picks the right team to secure all three points. Although this match is not necessarily a must-win for either side, a win would be a huge statement to the rest of the league.
In a recent City is Ours Facebook Live, Ross Jackson was accompanied by editor Dom Farrell and Liverpool Echo’s Matt Addison. The trio discussed the huge clash on Sunday, including who exactly Pep Guardiola should select to lead the line at Anfield.
DF : “If Pep goes with an actual nine rather than a false nine, I think it has to be Torres. There is nobody more I would like to see score a goal at Anfield than Raheem Sterling, it would be exquisite. But, it’s strange that he had a bad end of last season, then England’s best player in the Euros then has now come back to that City form.”
“Whether that's a thing between him and Guardiola, perhaps. Sterling is more of an explosive player and City playing at a slower tempo, maybe highlight the things Raheem isn’t too good at. Although he didn’t have a bad game at PSG, if it's a conventional striker- it’s Torres.”
If he doesn’t play a conventional forward, I’d tweak slightly what Pep did at Chelsea where (Phil) Foden was the point of the attack and (Kevin) De Bryune’s still getting back to full match sharpness and if you’re not match fit, the Anfield midfield is not somewhere you should be.
When it’s a game that can be played in transition, I'd be keen to have Foden and Bernardo Silva with their up-and-down energy and you play De Bruyne as the false nine where he played throughout the knock-out stages of the Champions League last year.
Then you’ll get Kevin de Bryune as your best quality player on the ball in all those dangerous areas where he could make a shot or a cross in the final third.”
“City have used a false nine in a lot of games, but Liverpool won’t be as passive as Tuccel’s Chelsea were. They are going to play a high line and Torres runs in behind very well. If we’re going full Pep ball- De Bruyne as the false nine, if City plays a more traditional nine to exploit that space in behind, it’s got to be Torres.”
RJ : “When you look at it on paper for Sterling, it’s baffling. He was so good for England but there’s been no continuation of that form. It’s gone from City form, bypassing the England form and straight back to City.”
“Most people would agree that as brilliant as he is, Raheem Sterling isn’t technically as brilliant as some of the other players in the City team.”
Who do you think should start against Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
