A Battle of King's Mountain in the Premier League has become the focus of attention in world football this season. In terms of level and influence, it should be second only to the final of the Champions League, which is no exaggeration. Compared with the whole game, whether it is Barca beating Real Madrid's Spanish national derby, the Milan derby in the same battle of The King's Hill or dort and Bayern's Bundesliga national derby, it is difficult to match.
City briefly led by double digits in the table, but then they lost to Tottenham, drawing southampton and Crystal Palace, only to be chased straight behind the ass by Liverpool, who had played a wave of ten consecutive Premier League wins, with only one point difference between the two sides. If Manchester City loses this game, they may have to watch the imposing Liverpool go away. But if Manchester City are unbeaten, the depressed estimate is Liverpool, and the painful memories of 1 point of the graben 3 years ago seem to be still yesterday.
Guardiola hid the top scorer Mahrez, so that Jesus, who had been out of the battle for a long time, formed a trident with Sterling and Foden, which naturally favored the super tactical execution of the Brazilian striker, and more importantly, against a team of Liverpool's level, the authentic striker still had to have, after Ferrantore left the team, Guardiola also had such a treasure in his hands. Of course, if it is not said that De Bruyne, who has opened the scoring mode this season, is also a striker, there is no problem.
Compared to Manchester City, Liverpool's starting line-up is easy to guess, with Mane, Salah and the recently in-form Diogo Jota not giving up the start, and Thiago, Fabinho and captain Henderson in midfield are both technical, intercepting and confrontational, and there is no better option for the Reds in the squad. As for Arnold, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip and goalkeeper Alisson in the back line, they can figure it out with their toes. In the face of change, this is Klopp's best tactic against Guardiola.
Unlike in the past, Liverpool began this game with a very strong front-court high pressing, trying to disrupt Manchester City's passing coordination. However, without paying attention, they were passed by Manchester City to the front of the box, Sterling's one-handed knife was blocked, and Fabinho put down Walker in the front of the fight. Just when the Liverpool players were still complaining about the referee's decision, De Bruyne's long-range shot from outside the box hit Matip and flew into the net, and Manchester City had a dream start.
For Liverpool, the high-pressing tactic has the greatest respect for Manchester City's opponent, but the foot technology and cooperation of Manchester City players have made this tactic a double-edged sword. However, after conceding the ball, Liverpool also began to threaten, Thiago midfielder's large-scale long pass on the left side of the field was like a guided missile to find Arnold inserted on the right side, the ball passed from right to left several times, and finally Diogorota found an opportunity to break through the goal guarded by Ederson. The goal, Thiago's long pass and Liverpool's dazzling team fit up front were impressive.
The next two goals are actually the embodiment of the tactical thinking of both sides. After Receiving a tactical corner, Cancelo crossed the penalty area diagonally, Jesus showed off the unique smell of a centre-forward, and successfully volleyed offside to knock out the ten fingers of national team teammate Alisson. Liverpool's lightning equaliser in the opening minute of the second half was instigated by Van Dijk's long pass, Arnold acted as a fulcrum and completed with Salah, who eventually assisted Mane to complete the goal and equalize again.
In fact, in the face of a team like Manchester City, it is a good strategy not to tangle with the opponent in the local area. In this game, Liverpool's attack was very concise and clear, and the two goals were completed by a long pass from the backcourt. And Manchester City is still their favorite routine, in addition to using local small cooperation to tear open the defense to find shooting opportunities, set-pieces are also their offensive weapons, Stones and Mahrez and others have excellent scoring opportunities. Of course, don't forget de Bruyne, who is also a father and a mother, if Sterling, Jesus and Mahrez and others seize the opportunity he created one more time, maybe Manchester City will win this game.
In this game, Manchester City had 48% of the ball, scoring 2 goals on 5 of 11 shots. Liverpool had 52 per cent of the ball and scored 2 goals on 4 of 6 shots on goal. Both teams' possession and shooting statistics are below their average this season. But this reflects the high importance attached to the opponent. In this kind of master duel, the smallest details can often determine success or failure. The final draw can only be described by the fact that the opponent will meet the good talent.
Guardiola apparently accepted the result, and after the game he slightly exaggerated his high-fives with Klopp, as if the latter were not his opponents, but colleagues who celebrated the victory together. Even in between interviews, the two were constantly communicating. After this match, guardiola and Klopp's record of confrontation is still difficult to understand, the two sides have won 9 of each of the 23 meetings, 5 are drawn, and both are the most defeated opponents. Of course, this weekend, the two teams will also compete in the FA Cup semi-finals, which will be another dragon fight.
After taking over liverpool in October 2015, Klopp painstakingly built the team, which was not generous in terms of investment, into a European powerhouse, taking the Champions League and Premier League titles into his arms. However, due to the presence of Manchester City, who is managed by Guardiola, it has prevented Klopp from winning the second consecutive Premier League title, and this season, the Reds' dream of four titles is likely to be blocked by Manchester City. In this sense, meeting Guardiola is the misfortune of peak Klopp. But for the Premier League, having two world-class coaches at the same time is the greatest luck.