After a commanding 3-0 victory at Anfield, Liverpool stand just 90 minutes in the Etihad away from a trip to the Champions League semifinals. Manchester City are reeling from the first leg defeat and a 2-0 halftime lead blown against Manchester United who defeated City in their own stadium to prevent them from clinching the title. The second leg is tomorrow at 2:45 PM EST.
Team News:
The talk of the town has been Mo Salah's groin injury. The winger trained with the team today and it seems that he will be able to feature. Jurgen Klopp expressed "big hope" that he would be able to be involved with the team on Tuesday and grouped this together with Andy Robertson and Alberto Moreno, who are both suffering from injuries on the leg (Robertson: calf, Moreno: thigh). Ben Woodburn, the Welsh youth, has also been back in training following his own injury absence. Of note on Satuday was also Nathaniel Clyne's return to action at right-back, leaving Klopp a choice to make between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Clyne.
Of course, the Reds will be missing many men this clash. Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, through injury and suspension, are perhaps the two men that will be missed the most as their injuries essentially guarantee a midfield three of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Gini Wijnaldum. Adam Lallana, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip are all set to miss out as well this shorthands the Liverpool defense, one which had Ragnar Klavan start at left-back in the Merseyside Derby.
Manchester City has no serious news to report on the injury front. Sergio Aguero returned as a sub at the Manchester Derby and it seems certain that he will feature against Liverpool. John Stones has also been ailing and missed the derby as a result, but he could feature against Liverpool after having sat out the first leg with a concussion. Danilo was also out of training today and this seems to write him off for starting at left-back for City as well.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected City Line-Up: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Laporte; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, David Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Previewing the Match:
City won the first meeting at the Etihad 5-0 following Sadio Mane's sending off for a high boot to Ederson. Liverpool seemed to take this personally and have ripped apart City's defense twice now, but have a different job to do this match as they have a three goal lead to protect. On the flip side, City have been backed into a corner following two disheartening losses to two of their biggest rivals. The central question around City seems to be whether Liverpool will see a motivated City, or a flustered City.
Liverpool's midfield utterly dominated the game, especially the first half, in the first leg. This, however, was with Jordan Henderson in the spot of the deepest midfielder (the number six role). Gini Wijnaldum went through a trial run at Goodison Park over the weekend in the role, and he did well, however he will now be given the task of manning the spot against the highest scoring attack in the country. Wijnaldum has played all around the pitch for Klopp and despite being a more attacking minded player for Newcastle before joining Liverpool, he has featured mostly in a more defensive and conservative midfield role even having player center-back once for Klopp. Wijnaldum does not have to pull the strings like Henderson often does, but he will have to be a strong presence in the midfield.
Manchester City have let in three goals in consecutive games: the first time any team under Pep Guardiola has done this. Defending is just as important to Tuesday's game as the attack is. If City go out with reckless abandon on attack, they give in to the threat of Liverpool snagging an away goal and forcing themselves to have to get five goals to make the comeback. Kyle Walker's attacking freedom hurt City in the first leg and exposed them against the Liverpool counter, especially in the first goal. Likewise, Guardiola could start Fabian Delph against Liverpool and play a more attacking fullback duo, but Laporte was truly not too poor against Salah and seems to be the best match-up on him out of all the available left-backs. City's defense is as vulnerable as ever and Guardiola's ability to fix any issues will need to be on full display.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played the finest game of his career against Leroy Sane. Sane, outside of momentary bursts of paces or nice runs, could get absolutely nothing going on offense. Round two (assuming Clyne does not get the start) will be just as interesting as Sane will have had nearly a full week to analyze what he may have failed to capitalize on or what he could change. The young Scouser will have a big task to do in the Ethiad and the hope will be that he can prove the first leg's performance was a precursor for better games to come.
Final Thoughts:
Nothing is straight forward in Europe, especially not against a dangerous attack like City's. A three-goal lead appears safe on paper, but Liverpool have conceded three goals in five minutes before this season, and have even drawn a game in Europe having been up 3-0 at the half. Now, those games both had vastly different personnel and were different situations, but the fact that Liverpool cannot simply enter the Etihad as a formality still remains. I said in my leg one preview:
"There is also a second leg that cannot be forgotten about. Liverpool cannot dole a knockout blow at home yet, but they can set themselves up for a match where they only need a draw in Manchester to advance if they stay focused and maintain a strong togetherness in terms of team shape."
This is exactly what they set themselves up for. Liverpool can set up with strong positioning and focused minds to defend while trying to gain that all important away goal or two to put the tie out of reach. It is hard to understand the importance of this game, and I think both managers are well aware of what either outcomes could do to their team and their counterpart's.
Score Projection: Manchester City 2: Liverpool 1
I believe City will come out strong against two crushing losses. They are too good to be down and out as some may project and I think two goals is likely. That said, I think Liverpool are also going to be able enough and active enough on attack to counter with a goal of their own. I'll give it 2-1 to City, but Liverpool advance 4-2 on aggregate.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets or e-mail me at redsmaizeandblue@gmail.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the preview or your own thoughts about the game. I will be Tweeting during the game and my game recap will also be up and Tweeted out.
Team News:
The talk of the town has been Mo Salah's groin injury. The winger trained with the team today and it seems that he will be able to feature. Jurgen Klopp expressed "big hope" that he would be able to be involved with the team on Tuesday and grouped this together with Andy Robertson and Alberto Moreno, who are both suffering from injuries on the leg (Robertson: calf, Moreno: thigh). Ben Woodburn, the Welsh youth, has also been back in training following his own injury absence. Of note on Satuday was also Nathaniel Clyne's return to action at right-back, leaving Klopp a choice to make between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Clyne.
Of course, the Reds will be missing many men this clash. Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, through injury and suspension, are perhaps the two men that will be missed the most as their injuries essentially guarantee a midfield three of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Gini Wijnaldum. Adam Lallana, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip are all set to miss out as well this shorthands the Liverpool defense, one which had Ragnar Klavan start at left-back in the Merseyside Derby.
Manchester City has no serious news to report on the injury front. Sergio Aguero returned as a sub at the Manchester Derby and it seems certain that he will feature against Liverpool. John Stones has also been ailing and missed the derby as a result, but he could feature against Liverpool after having sat out the first leg with a concussion. Danilo was also out of training today and this seems to write him off for starting at left-back for City as well.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected City Line-Up: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Laporte; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, David Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Previewing the Match:
City won the first meeting at the Etihad 5-0 following Sadio Mane's sending off for a high boot to Ederson. Liverpool seemed to take this personally and have ripped apart City's defense twice now, but have a different job to do this match as they have a three goal lead to protect. On the flip side, City have been backed into a corner following two disheartening losses to two of their biggest rivals. The central question around City seems to be whether Liverpool will see a motivated City, or a flustered City.
Liverpool's midfield utterly dominated the game, especially the first half, in the first leg. This, however, was with Jordan Henderson in the spot of the deepest midfielder (the number six role). Gini Wijnaldum went through a trial run at Goodison Park over the weekend in the role, and he did well, however he will now be given the task of manning the spot against the highest scoring attack in the country. Wijnaldum has played all around the pitch for Klopp and despite being a more attacking minded player for Newcastle before joining Liverpool, he has featured mostly in a more defensive and conservative midfield role even having player center-back once for Klopp. Wijnaldum does not have to pull the strings like Henderson often does, but he will have to be a strong presence in the midfield.
Manchester City have let in three goals in consecutive games: the first time any team under Pep Guardiola has done this. Defending is just as important to Tuesday's game as the attack is. If City go out with reckless abandon on attack, they give in to the threat of Liverpool snagging an away goal and forcing themselves to have to get five goals to make the comeback. Kyle Walker's attacking freedom hurt City in the first leg and exposed them against the Liverpool counter, especially in the first goal. Likewise, Guardiola could start Fabian Delph against Liverpool and play a more attacking fullback duo, but Laporte was truly not too poor against Salah and seems to be the best match-up on him out of all the available left-backs. City's defense is as vulnerable as ever and Guardiola's ability to fix any issues will need to be on full display.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played the finest game of his career against Leroy Sane. Sane, outside of momentary bursts of paces or nice runs, could get absolutely nothing going on offense. Round two (assuming Clyne does not get the start) will be just as interesting as Sane will have had nearly a full week to analyze what he may have failed to capitalize on or what he could change. The young Scouser will have a big task to do in the Ethiad and the hope will be that he can prove the first leg's performance was a precursor for better games to come.
Final Thoughts:
Nothing is straight forward in Europe, especially not against a dangerous attack like City's. A three-goal lead appears safe on paper, but Liverpool have conceded three goals in five minutes before this season, and have even drawn a game in Europe having been up 3-0 at the half. Now, those games both had vastly different personnel and were different situations, but the fact that Liverpool cannot simply enter the Etihad as a formality still remains. I said in my leg one preview:
"There is also a second leg that cannot be forgotten about. Liverpool cannot dole a knockout blow at home yet, but they can set themselves up for a match where they only need a draw in Manchester to advance if they stay focused and maintain a strong togetherness in terms of team shape."
This is exactly what they set themselves up for. Liverpool can set up with strong positioning and focused minds to defend while trying to gain that all important away goal or two to put the tie out of reach. It is hard to understand the importance of this game, and I think both managers are well aware of what either outcomes could do to their team and their counterpart's.
Score Projection: Manchester City 2: Liverpool 1
I believe City will come out strong against two crushing losses. They are too good to be down and out as some may project and I think two goals is likely. That said, I think Liverpool are also going to be able enough and active enough on attack to counter with a goal of their own. I'll give it 2-1 to City, but Liverpool advance 4-2 on aggregate.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets or e-mail me at redsmaizeandblue@gmail.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the preview or your own thoughts about the game. I will be Tweeting during the game and my game recap will also be up and Tweeted out.
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