By Jamie Miley
An unmissable Champions League quarter-final in store.
Next Wednesday, Liverpool face the daunting prospect of facing Manchester City in the quarter-final of the Champions League.
It will be an intense, two-legged tactical battle as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp try to outdo each other by going all guns blazing. While City look favourites on paper, they will be up against an in-form Liverpool side who are unbeaten in Europe this season.
Here are the five reasons why Liverpool will have the edge on the Premier League’s runaway leaders.
Liverpool hunting in packs against City
City’s toughest encounter this season was, in fact, at Anfield when Liverpool ran out 4-3 winners, handing Guardiola’s men their only league defeat. City enjoyed 62% possession but the Reds set the tempo with their counter-pressing and hounded the City team in packs.
Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones endured a nightmare in trying to deal with the constant pressing from Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, while their midfielders struggled to link up with the attack. Liverpool pressed City centrally through the middle and chose the right time to press and counter attack.
Direct play
As you can see above, Ederson has nowhere to go and is given no choice but to kick it long. Salah and Mane have their flanks well covered while Fernandinho is man marked. This happened numerous times during the game and stopped City from getting any rhythm to their game. If Liverpool replicate this to a similar effect, it could swing momentum in their favour.
The front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino
Goals for Liverpool in 2017/2018🔴:
Salah: 36⚽🇪🇬
Firmino: 23 goals⚽🇧🇷
Mane:14 goals⚽🇸🇳How much is each man worth in the modern transfer market, Reds?💷 pic.twitter.com/40Jvl060E3
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) March 25, 2018
As a front trio, Firmino, Salah and Mane have been devastating. With 73 goals between them this season, it seems highly unlikely that City’s defence will be able to keep them all quiet over the two legs.
Klopp’s record over Pep in all competitions
Klopp and Guardiola have faced each other 12 times during their managerial careers, with Klopp edging the Catalan tactician six to five. Klopp’s record against Guardiola is better than any other manager so the German will certainly be confident of outfoxing his opposite number in Europe once again.
Away goals
They have also scored 34 goals, the most of any team in Europe, so it all bodes well for Liverpool if it comes down to it.
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