Iheanacho Subbed On Late As Liverpool Edge Man City

In pursuit of Chelsea, who have been making serene, faultless progress, second-placed Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s City may feel this is a match they simply must win. With just a point separating Liverpool, in second, and Manchester City, both teams will know only a win will do in that circumstance.

It’s second v third in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve as Manchester City travel to Liverpool and naturally, that match is drawing a lot of attention from the press.

It is also a renewal of a coaching rivalry that stretches back to the time spent by Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in the Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively. There is a visit to Old Trafford to factor in, too, on Jan 15 – and if they continue to impress against their closest rivals then thoughts of a first title since 1990 will truly crystallise.

“The way Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players makes him stand out in the Premier League”, said Hamann. Liverpool and Manchester City will be keen to put their title aspirations to the fore in front on a sell-out Anfield crowd and thaw out a frosty afternoon on Merseyside.

“Of course he has talent but he has to learn a little bit more – when to play one or two touches, when to go”.

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho will not be fit enough to feature against Manchester City.

“Gegenpressing” is a key element of this as under Klopp, Liverpool have pressed teams furiously high up the pitch and regularly pen them into their own box especially at Anfield.

Guardiola has made do without Aguero by selecting four different players – Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling, Nolito and Kevin De Bruyne – in the lone-striker role, but Aguero offers a different threat entirely.

It has all the ingredients for a cracking game of football with both teams renowned for their attacking styles of play and defensive weaknesses. Thank God we got it because we play again on Monday. Liverpool were in the ascendancy for the remainder of the first half, but City improved after half-time, David Silva moving inside and finding far more of the ball. The first chance they have the score so it was always hard.

The Reds handled the Citizens over 90 minutes to separate themselves from the pack of teams vying for a top-four finish, namely Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and City.

“They have an intensity with the ball and without the ball, and it is not easy to do that”.

City’s top scorer Sergio Aguero, back after a four-match suspension, barely had a kick until he registered their first shot on target in the 54th minute.

“The way they are training I am glad”.

Although Roberto Firmino, Lallana and Emre Can, were active and positive, the Reds were unable to turn their dominance into more than a couple of half-chances with Firmino failing to collect a fine through ball from Milner and Can seeing a long-range effort fly just wide.

That makes it increasingly important for his better players to show their qualities when they are needed the most.