The Liverpool Offside - Premier League Coverage: Liverpool vs Manchester CityZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2018-10-08T16:41:40+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/177096332018-10-08T16:41:40+01:002018-10-08T16:41:40+01:00Liverpool Earned “Another Important Point” Against Title Rivals
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6gPOIhyjSdCe-q2KOo8OSkGBIAg=/0x134:2847x2032/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61691443/1047148972.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>If you can’t gain ground in the title race, it’s important that at least you don’t lose it.</p> <p id="fLihJ2">This season, the Premier League was billed as a two-horse race, with <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> tipped to push favourites <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>. Eight games—or more than 20% of the way—into the new season and it’s not a two-horse race.</p>
<p id="krGlWj">Instead, five clubs are clustered at the top of the table, City and Liverpool and <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> and Tottenham separated by a mere two points. No matter how many sides are in it, though, <span>Andrew Robertson</span> believes the Reds will be one of them.</p>
<p id="baHa2q">“We feel we can compete with any team but people seem to be just dismissing other teams and making it a two-horse race, which is not the case,” the Liverpool left back said following Sunday’s nil-nil draw with City.</p>
<p id="JlzIcL">“We played Chelsea last week, who were excellent. You see teams like Arsenal, with a new manager, putting great results together. So there is a long way to go and there will be a lot of teams competing but we hope we are one of them.”</p>
<p id="ybHaPK">The early signs at least suggest they will be, as they’ve already played three of eight games—or nearly 40%—against the other four clubs clustered at the top of the table and they have five points to show for it.</p>
<p id="0UCzAV">Most importantly, perhaps, is that with a victory over Spurs and draws against Chelsea and City, Liverpool haven’t lost yet against their fellow title hopefuls—if you can’t gain ground in the title race, it’s at least important not to lose it.</p>
<p id="PkQTcV">“There was nothing really in the game,” Robertson added on Sunday’s match. “It was two really good teams going at it. Unfortunately, the deadlock wasn’t broken. But for us it’s another important point.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/10/8/17951324/liverpool-earned-another-important-point-title-rivals-manchester-city-andy-robertsonNoel Chomyn2018-10-08T14:09:50+01:002018-10-08T14:09:50+01:00Guardiola and City Sought to Frustrate “Best Transition Team in the World”
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2Jp3MN4kyzIw8cCXwa4XvE_elmk=/21x107:1424x1042/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61689487/1047151514.jpg.1539004190.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Manchester City came to Anfield with a gameplan that showed how much they respected their opponents.</p> <p id="KZBFyl"><a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> are defending Premier League champions and favourites to repeat. On Sunday, though, the defending champions came to Anfield not seeking to impose their game on Jürgen Klopp’s <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> but to counter its strengths.</p>
<p id="JEL05B">City manager Pep Guardiola wanted to control the game, to slow things down, commit fewer players forward, and to generally avoid giving Liverpool chances to force mistakes through the high press that has become their calling card.</p>
<p id="a8eOq3">“We know how complicated it is playing this club in this stadium and how dangerous they are,” Guardiola said following the match. “They’re such an attacking side with runs in behind and waiting for our mistakes to make counter-attacks.</p>
<p id="YeBV2t">“They are incredibly good, incredibly quick, and we controlled them. We were close, more than ever, to winning here—but okay, it was better than last season, and especially when we tried to be ourselves. We had our chance so it is what it is.”</p>
<p id="nBe1ac">If there were any doubts as to Liverpool’s status as contenders—as challengers to City for the title—Guardiola’s caution and respect shown in a game-plan focused first on controlling Liverpool and second on playing their own game should put it to rest.</p>
<p id="VmaGhN">It resulted in something unexpected: a scoreless draw between two of the best attacking sides in the game. And while on another night one or the other might have taken all three points on offer, in the end a draw seems a fair result.</p>
<p id="MeomeH">“If we play quick then they are much better than us,” he added. “So the way they play, we want to create but they wait for when you make mistakes. If it’s an open game in Anfield, an open game against Liverpool, you don’t have even a one percent chance.”</p>
<p id="B9aXgs">“They are so good. They are maybe—no, not maybe, I’m pretty sure—the best team in the world running offensive-defensive transitions. They’re built for that, created for that.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/10/8/17950620/guardiola-manchester-city-frustrate-liverpool-best-transition-team-in-worldNoel Chomyn2018-10-07T19:20:02+01:002018-10-07T19:20:02+01:00Virgil Van Dijk: That Wasn’t a Smart Penalty to Give Away
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Hg49UsErKxw3p6AOLb1nZF60TFY=/440x0:4400x2640/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61682849/1047169108.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool defender admitted relief that the Riyad Mahrez’s spot kick was missed.</p> <p id="oRjE6E">It was the one fixture circled on the calendar of anyone with even a passing interest in the Premier League. The clash at the summit of the table between <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> and <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> as the two mooted contenders for the title was a match that promised so much, but flattered to deceive in offering so little, ultimately ending 0-0.</p>
<p id="U8cQfw">In truth, it was a day for defenders, as last season’s two top-scoring sides were stifled with a paltry four shots on target between them. <span>Dejan Lovren</span>, in his first appearance in a league matchday squad, paired with Virgil Van Dijk in the center of the park pushing the standout Joe Gomez out into the right back position in place of an out-of-form Trent Alexander-Arnold.</p>
<p id="OCNgd1">Along with Alisson in goal and the stalwart <span>Andrew Robertson</span> on the opposite flank, the back five largely nullified one of Europe’s most feared attacks, with two penalty shouts—one given, one not—the only blemishes on an otherwise sterling defensive performance.</p>
<p id="r9hZbe">One of those two incidents nearly allowed the visitors to escape from Anfield with a shock win, when Van Dijk mistimed a tackle on City’s Leroy Sane in the 85<sup>th</sup> minute forcing Martin Atkinson to give a penalty with the game poised. Fortunately for the Reds, <span>Riyad Mahrez</span> took the spot kick over the protestations of Gabriel Jesus and promptly proceeded to sky it into the Anfield Road Stand, much the Dutch defender’s relief:</p>
<p id="uk0Hu4">“It is not smart to dive in there. It was a penalty and it shouldn’t have happened, but I’m very happy we didn’t concede,” Van Dijk admitted after the match.</p>
<p id="9MlW8W">”I watched it because I wanted to get the rebound if he missed it. They did well, as did we, up until the penalty moment.</p>
<p id="EY8vSt">”We were unlucky not to score, and lucky not to concede as well, so I think we canceled each other out. It was a tough game against the champions and I’m happy we kept the clean sheet.</p>
<p id="vihE02">”We wanted to bounce back from our defeat to Napoli and I think we did that.”</p>
<p id="WejUBb">The result benefitted <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> the most, leaving the Reds in third behind City and the Londoners. Liverpool head into the international break now winless in their last four and Jürgen Klopp will be hoping use the extended time off to get his side firing once again in their quest for the league title.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/10/7/17948392/virgil-van-dijk-the-penalty-wasnt-smart-manchester-city-chelsea-riyad-maherzO.T. Obaisi2018-10-07T18:38:41+01:002018-10-07T18:38:41+01:00Liverpool 0, Manchester City 0: Man of the Match
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cfEPGp9EB4OoS9h5jVpO2hLQbBE=/0x0:4131x2754/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61682543/1047168762.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Not quite what was expected from both sides at Anfield today.</p> <p id="HaJV8d">“Great game for the neutrals,” said nobody in particular. A fixture that, in recent years, has promised plenty of goals and loads of drama, delivered . . . not a whole lot, this time. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> came out swinging in the opening phases of the match, and threatened to make an early impact, but <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> found their feet. Both sides eventually settled into a rhythm that suggested avoiding defeat was the priority.</p>
<p id="ZvMUZ1">And yet, Pep Guardiola’s City side almost came away with all three points. Virgil van Dijk, seeking to close down a rampant Leroy Sané in the box, conceded a penalty in the closing minutes of the match. Only Riyad Mahrez’s inexplicable profligacy from the spot allowed Liverpool to come away from this matchup with a point. </p>
<p id="ddxWaP">Now let us know how you saw it. Hitting the up arrow is a vote to move the player up the list—or to help keep them on top. Hitting down is a vote to push that player closer to the bottom. It’s half man of the match poll and half power ranking, and we want to use it to find out who you think played well after each Liverpool match and, at the other end, who you’d maybe like to see given the next game off.</p>
<p id="r9FBaT">At the end of the month we’ll go through the results of that month’s polls and vote The Liverpool Offside’s player of the month and, come next May, those monthly results will help to determine your TLO player of the season for 2018-19. Anyone visiting on Google AMP who wish to vote will have to navigate to the front page and re-enter the story to access a non-AMP version of it.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/10/7/17947904/liverpool-0-manchester-city-0-epl-2018-motm-vote-best-worst-performancessaintgrobian2018-10-07T18:22:54+01:002018-10-07T18:22:54+01:00Liverpool 0, Manchester City 0: First Thoughts
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aBj_EcEhoIhzt-OF8GkMnwwpA74=/0x0:3271x2181/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61682403/1047149134.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A fairly reserved performance by Liverpool sees us maintain our unbeaten record at Anfield, but lose two points in the process. </p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="sites-canvas-main-content">
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<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> 0 - 0 <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>
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<li id="ZuXdCF">
<strong>Pre-Match Thought: </strong>So uh, that Lovren-Gomez switch, huh? That’s something. This is definitely the game to be doing that. That doesn’t help the nerves. </li>
<li id="dFmDRF">Oh. We started. This could get ugly. </li>
<li id="0HlBnk">
<span>Mohamed Salah</span> with an early chance after beating three defenders but sends his shot just barely wide and weak. </li>
<li id="sJoqjZ">Liverpool definitely seem like they’ve got their heads a bit back, spending most of the first five minutes in the City half and pressing hard. </li>
<li id="1nAez9">We’ve had a couple of corners so far but they’ve been relatively shit so not worth mentioning but nothing else is worth mentioning either so here we are. </li>
<li id="sINltI">Hey by the way, <span>Raheem Sterling</span> has yet to score against us since his moved to City so isn’t that fun? </li>
<li id="CaMb1H">Oh that. That was probably a penalty but uh... this ref likes us for some reason? </li>
<li id="KKxB6V">Despite all the chances so far, we’re about 25 minutes in at this point and it feels very cautious? Not defensive but something about it feels like we’re waiting. </li>
<li id="jEl4pr">
<span>James Milner</span> comes off injured - it looks precautionary to be honest - and Naby Keita comes on. Not gonna lie, and I love Milly, but this might work more in our favor. </li>
<li id="4SNV60">Nevermind, this ref is weird after Fernandinho tries to basically kick Mane while he’s down and hands out two free kicks to City. He’s clearly trying to make up for the penalty he didn’t give, I guess. </li>
<li id="GJDxPY">For all the back and forth of this game, it’s nice to see Liverpool at their harrying best. They’re doing all they can to make things difficult for City and after the malaise of the Napoli game on Wednesday, it’s a welcome sight. </li>
<li id="oxq3Xm">If this half ends goalless I’m going to be real mad. </li>
<li id="diSzoL">
<strong>Halftime: </strong>It did end goalless, but not without it’s chances for Liverpool. Hoping we can actually shot around Ederson like we’ve been able to in the past. Also this is the type of game where we really miss a midfielder like <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> picking up the second balls and just pushing forward. No one is doing that right now. Hopefully we can. </li>
<li id="uvGgIZ">HERE WE GO! No changes at the half but that’s about what we all expected, right? </li>
<li id="P1XCe5">We just need one to open this game up, lads. Just one. And preferably not by City. </li>
<li id="rSiuKs">Chaos in the box briefly when basically every Liverpool got a touch on the ball but every City player was there to keep it from going anywhere. </li>
<li id="MwZiDF">Sergio Aguero picks up a yellow card for a late push on <span>Jordan Henderson</span> and you all know how I feel about that. </li>
<li id="4jQ4tF">Fernandinho just took the worst long range shot I’ve ever seen and Pep just sat down asking his assistant “what was that” and it was HILARIOUS.</li>
<li id="2LH5JS">Things are getting wild here as <span>Riyad Mahrez</span> takes two shots for the visitors and can’t finish them. </li>
<li id="7DXSPK">It’s kind of nice to watch a ref being generous with the cards but for the other team. Doesn’t really happen a whole lot and definitely not at Anfield. We’ll see if he gives a second to Fernandinho, though, because he’s definitely earned it. </li>
<li id="3mUUr4">
<strong>ALMOST</strong>. MO WITH THE PERFECT CHANCE and skies it. So much frustration. </li>
<li id="Y2NsZ2">Klopp makes his second change and it’s <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> for Roberto Firmino. Goals are coming. </li>
<li id="A9XTFe">There it is, his record intact, Raheem Sterling comes off for Leroy Sane. </li>
<li id="T0pBcJ">God, watching Daniel Sturridge play so deep is like the thing of dreams. It makes me so happy to see him chasing down every ball like his life depends on it. </li>
<li id="gwtbaR">We. Need. Goals. GIVE US WHAT WE NEED. PLEASE. </li>
<li id="pdvsDk">Jesus Christ, this ref is really adverse to giving a second yellow isn’t he? Fernandinho is going to have to murder someone on the pitch and maybe even then he won’t get a second yellow. </li>
<li id="W8Zvcy">Oh yeah, no that’s - that’s a penalty. Virgil van Dijk tackles Leroy Sane in the box and the ref gives the call but City make the mistake of naming Mahrez as their penalty taker and he sends it skyward. </li>
<li id="dA1oMg">I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING GOOD I SAID ABOUT THIS REF. EVERYTHING. </li>
<li id="suqR3t">Hahahahahah he gave <span>Georginio Wijnaldum</span> a yellow because he could. What the fuck. </li>
<li id="C5zif5">Three minutes of added time here. Someone has to do SOMETHING. </li>
<li id="vfPMOr">
<strong>Final Whistle: </strong>An afternoon of frustration for Liverpool - NOTHING HAPPENED. One of those matches that you literally cannot believe ended in nothing. We need our shooting boots. </li>
</ul>
<p id="zllR41">We’ll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today’s game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven’t already, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373"><strong>join the community on the Liverpool Offside</strong></a>, where we’ll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/10/7/17947426/liverpool-0-manchester-city-0-match-recap-report-epl-2018Jordan J. Keeble2018-10-06T17:30:02+01:002018-10-06T17:30:02+01:00Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester City
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<img alt="Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jZBNNN63uC8lMCMhNLgzBg6yok8=/677x64:3616x2023/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61674685/944548262.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool welcome top of the table rivals Manchester City to Anfield in their last match before the October break.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="vJTXUz">
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<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> vs. <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>
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<h5 id="BkLigq">| Sunday, October 7th |<br>Premier League | Anfield<br>4:30PM GMT/11:30AM EST</h5>
<p id="eCWO8n">Gird your loins, for Liverpool are playing their most important Premier League game of this nascent season tomorrow when Manchester City come calling. The Reds are in a bit of a down turn in form over the last two weeks or so. They haven’t won a game since September 22nd when they beat <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a> at home. It’s been a dreary start to October, but the Reds have home advantage and a win tomorrow would be just the right antidote to our collective ennui after a tough defeat against Napoli.</p>
<p id="TsKhjs">All eyes will be on Anfield on Sunday, because this is the most highly-anticipated game of the season. Whichever team wins will gain the upper hand on the title race early. With few points likely to be dropped between them, the two times the teams play each other could prove crucial.</p>
<p id="m2yBPx">Jürgen Klopp has a solid record against Pep Guardiola teams. Just last season, Liverpool beat the title-winners three out of the four times they met, and only lost the first match because Sadio Mané decided to try a little karate on the pitch.</p>
<p id="qGzTeD">Liverpool’s defense, for once, is the least concerning thing about the team going into this game. The back five have proved extremely capable since they’ve been playing together, and it will be helpful to have Alisson’s competent presence between the posts for this match.</p>
<p id="0tHGyR">The problems arise further forward, where Naby Keïta is a doubt after a back injury sent him off early against Napoli during midweek. The likely midfield trio of Henderson, Wijnaldum, and Milner is not Klopp’s first choice at home, and may lack the creative spark that Keïta provides the team. </p>
<p id="v9rAFl">The attack, while still world class, has been struggling lately. They came up with a big goose egg against Napoli and required <span>Daniel Sturridge</span>’s last minute stunner to salvage a point against <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>. His other goal against Chelsea, in the League Cup game that preceded last week’s Premier League, action was also the only one scored by the Reds, but it wasn’t good enough to keep them in the competition. If ever there was a game when Liverpool needed all of Salah, Firmino, and Mané working at their best, this would be it.</p>
<p id="UXajXw">Still, it’s hard to overstate just how good the Reds have looked at Anfield. Manchester City will come in worried, as they should be, about Liverpool getting an early jump on the game and taking control quickly.</p>
<p id="Eo644Z">This game will be a test to our fullbacks, who will have quite a challenge on their hands with Sterling and Sané running at them. Both have proven up to the task last season, so let’s hope it remains that way.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="cU9je0">
<h5 id="7GI1gC"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="E52PnQ">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mané</p>
<p id="JQUwBn">The only real question is with the midfield. Klopp has played coy on Keïta’s fitness, so it’s unknown yet exactly what the midfield three will look like. Less likely, he may award Daniel Sturridge a start considering the fine form he’s been in compared to his peers. It’s almost certain, though, that Klopp sticks with his preferred front three.</p>
<p id="JBIqB3">For Manchester City, both Kevin de Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy could be fit to play tomorrow after injury lay-offs, which is not great news to hear. On the other hand, Ilkay Gundogan is doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury and <span>Fabian Delph</span> remains unavailable.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="24qahM">
<h5 id="Uvt1qh">What the Managers Had to Say</h5>
<p id="xZHXQT"><strong>Jurgen Klopp</strong>: “I don’t think it makes sense at this moment to think about the title. There are a lot of games to play. But, it is a home game against Man City and that is a tough one. Last year they were really special and I expect them to be like this again. Teams that play like them can lose focus, but it never happened to City last year so they have all my respect. We have to be on our best to keep them away from our and create some chances in front of their goal.”</p>
<p id="nJ2pqJ"><strong>Pep Guardiola</strong>: “They are a top side in the way they play. Liverpool beat a lot of sides not just City [last season]. Liverpool is one of the two greatest teams in England. We try to be close to them. They are a top side and we try to be closer every time.”</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZIXhN8">
<h5 id="R6XBVQ">The Officials</h5>
<p id="qR03Hp"><strong>Referee:</strong> Martin Atkinson <strong>Assistants:</strong> Stephen Child, Lee Betts <strong>Fourth official:</strong> Stuart Attwell</p>
<p id="CjKYMT">Kickoff is set for 4:30PM GMT/11:30AM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502841/liverpool-vs-southampton/">LiveSoccerTV</a>. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/10/6/17945268/liverpool-vs-manchester-city-epl-2018-preview-team-news-injuries-projected-lineups-how-to-watchepicskyline2018-10-06T10:04:53+01:002018-10-06T10:04:53+01:00Trent Alexander-Arnold Expects A Response Against Manchester City
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<img alt="Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q-uDNy8eTDhOkHZxmMx8GMV1Z7E=/35x0:3578x2362/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61673017/944392632.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,</figcaption>
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<p>After a flat performance midweek, the young fullback wants to exact revenge on another team in sky blue. </p> <p id="Qk4Gr4">Of the many poor performances midweek against Napoli—and there were many to choose from—academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold was especially off the pace. All players have their ups and downs, and those bumps in form can be especially pronounced in young players. </p>
<p id="FMYtKZ">Instead of shying away from the last result, TAA is looking to take the lessons from the defeat and move forward, hopefully exacting revenge on <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>. </p>
<p id="R0HWHH">“I think the best teams bounce back from a defeat and that’s what we’ll be looking to do,” Alexander-Arnold said to the club’s official website. “It’s important to keep the momentum going. There was a bump in the road on Wednesday but we’ve got to keep trying to push forward and gather as many points as we can.</p>
<p id="GrdPFB">”It was a tough one and it was hard to take, but they’re the type of lessons you learn from the most. You learn from them more than maybe coming away with a draw. I think maybe it can help us in the long run if we learn from it.”</p>
<p id="WFocbE">In a way, the late goal might be more helpful than if the lads had held out for a draw. Napoli were completely dominant on the night, and the Reds created zero shots from inside the box. If lessons can be learned, it is hopefully the wake-up call the team all needed to finally start clicking on all cylinders. </p>
<p id="CSJ6QF">And of course, the TAA and the lads have a great opportunity to use those lessons to bounce back against perhaps the toughest test they’ll face domestically. Trent is aiming for all three points, which would send the Reds into the second international break on top of the league. </p>
<p id="6mpDEm">“One of the toughest tests you’ll get all season is Man City, so taking three points from them for yourself can be big going forward. It would put a lot of confidence in us. </p>
<p id="tDfVSN">”It’s obviously going to be a tough game, but we’ve shown in recent games that we have the ability to beat them, to go toe-to-toe with them, and that’s what we’ll be looking to do again on Sunday – to go at them and try to win the game.</p>
<p id="xbcDfp">”We’re not just taking part, we’re not just looking for a point, we’re looking to win and get all the points, but you’re not going to get much harder opponents than Manchester City.”</p>
<p id="Aq33z7">Despite the set back on Wednesday, a win or draw against City would see <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> getting through this hellish month with flying colors. </p>
<p id="fnudHW">Yes, losses to <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> in the League Cup and Napoli in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> were decidedly bad, but 8 or 10 points against the run of Tottenham (away), <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a> (home), Chelsea (away), and City (home) in the league would be a fantastic run, and set us up well going forward. Sprinkle in a 3-2 win against PSG, and it’s pretty, pretty, pretty good. </p>
<p id="6sDjsy">Let’s at least hope for a better performance in front of Anfield tomorrow. Up the Reds. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/10/6/17944986/trent-alexander-arnold-expects-response-against-manchester-city-napoli-epl-title-showdownZachary Marx2018-10-06T04:18:51+01:002018-10-06T04:18:51+01:00Klopp: City Match is “A Final in the Middle of the Season”
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<img alt="Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RBlHp15inhIsCqISPsrf1cOY7MM=/0x119:3120x2199/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61671873/944609720.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images,</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager praises Manchester City ahead of Sunday’s big game.</p> <p id="e4jpQO">Sunday’s match against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> is set to be stellar football viewing. Two of England and Europe’s heavy hitters are going toe to toe at Anfield. The Premier League champions against Klopp’s rising stars. <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> have a chance to make a reverberating statement this weekend.</p>
<p id="ThFPD6">“This is a final in the middle of the season where you can win nothing apart from three points which is a fantastic thing,” said Klopp.</p>
<p id="fquftk">“The bad thing is City will never come here and think ‘Come on, who do we play on Tuesday?’ They are fully focused as well and that makes this game really special.”</p>
<p id="c47hJW">Pep Guardiola has instilled a way of playing at City that his predecessors never managed to accomplish. The Spaniard’s team is just as resilient as the one Klopp has shaped at Melwood. City will be ready to fight at Anfield, until the final whistle, regardless of the score line. Liverpool can beat any team out there but the players have to be completely focused and together in order for it to happen.</p>
<p id="A3zArj">“City are really good and we have to prove that we are as good as we can be,” Klopp said.</p>
<p id="Lcu1DC">“They are so strong. This team together with the club, the money they have and this team and this manager is exceptional. It is a good match, a good combination.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2018/10/6/17944636/jurgen-klopp-manchester-city-match-is-a-final-in-the-middle-of-the-seasonMatt Wood