Manchester City H Build up Sun 13th 13.37 Sky Sports 1

[Liverpool]

His goals and assists stats are pretty much from pens/free kicks nothing to do with how well he's adapted.

But he's come on amazingly since Jan, his performance against Oldham in the FA Cup at home was woeful. I thought he was finished then if he couldn't hack it at that level.

I'd put him in my top 3 most improved this season

[Daniel 7]

Its not Istanbul 2005 but it feels like the Chelsea semi final in 2005. Its absolutely massive. Shame the game wasn't being played under lights on a Wednesday evening - I reckon we'd destroy them if it was.

Was the last 12:30 at Anfield the Arsenal 5-0?

WHAT A SEASON!!!!

[Yozza]

EXCLUSIVE: When Jamie met Yaya - 'Liverpool have been amazing. This game WILL decide the title'

• Yaya Toure says Liverpool have been 'amazing' in the Premier League
• City star reveals Arsene Wenger played him as a striker
• Toure says City are making strides to become European champions
• Scoring more free-kicks is down to Tevez and Balotelli leaving, says Toure

By JAMIE REDKNAPP

Yaya Toure has hit new heights for Manchester City this season, driving their title bid with his goals and rampaging displays from midfield. Sportsmail’s Jamie Redknapp met Toure ahead of Sunday’s title showdown between Liverpool and City to talk title chances, conquering Europe and becoming the next Patrick Vieira. Andrew Magee listened in.

Jamie: Yaya, it is a huge game against Liverpool. Do you think it will decide the title?
Yaya: No doubt about it, the game will be very important. We know how difficult it will be against teams fighting relegation but the important thing is going to Liverpool and trying to get a good result. After that we have to continue to perform because if we want to win the league we have to win all games.

Jamie: When you won the title in 2012 it was all about competing with Manchester United but this year it has been Chelsea and now Liverpool. Have Liverpool impressed you?
Yaya: They have been amazing. They have had the advantage of playing one game a week and so they have been fresh. With players of their calibre, it helps to train all week and prepare for one game. It’s going to be very, very tough until the end.

Jamie: Who has impressed you?
Yaya: Defensively they have been good but in midfield they are so strong. Steven Gerrard is fantastic and has so much experience. And Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have been unbelievable. They score goals like a machine. Things are going to be tough for our defence and if we make a mistake, or we are not concentrating 100 per cent, we are going to pay. You better believe it

Jamie: I’ve been watching you in the Champions League for years and you used to be the perfect defensive midfielder. Now you’ve turned into a goalscoring midfielder. What’s changed?
Yaya: It started when I was in Belgium and I went to Arsenal to do some training. I remember the first chat I had with Arsene Wenger. He asked me: ‘Yaya, which position do you want to play?’ I told him I wanted to be a midfielder. He said: ‘Why? When I saw you training, for me you look more like a striker.’ I said: ‘Ah, that’s why you keep playing me up front! Move me, I want to play in midfield like Patrick Vieira. I can play like Patrick and I can be better than Patrick.’ He said: ‘No, no. That’s impossible. No one is better than Patrick.’

Jamie: Are you better than him now?
Yaya: (laughing) No, Patrick is unbelievable, with the trophies he has. Arsene liked me further forward because when I was training close to the goal I would take five shots and score with four of them. That was not too bad, but for me I wanted to definitely play in midfield. Then when I went back to Belgium the manager moved me further forward. It was nice and I enjoyed it but after that I moved back into midfield.

Jamie: Take me back to your early career. Is it true that when you first came to Europe you arrived as a young man with no boots?
Yaya: (laughing) Yeah! When I was 16 in Ivory Coast I played for ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan. It was a great club in my country and after that I started to think about what would be the next level for me. In my mind all the big players are supposed to play in Europe. That was my target — to be there and compare myself to them. That’s when I came to Belgium and started to play in the first team in Beveren.

Jamie: Then you went and played in Ukraine. That must have been quite a contrast from growing up in Africa?
Yaya: Yes, I played for Metalurh Donetsk and it was an amazing experience. Coming from Africa, I started to learn how to eat properly, how to get rest and concentrate and I started to understand the high level of sport. You need to be careful with when you go out. You have to get more rest, and you have to be very, very focused.

Jamie: Then another move, this time to Greece?
Yaya: I spent one year at Olympiacos and won two trophies, so it was a good year! I got to play with Rivaldo, too, and he taught me so much. He gave me a lot of confidence for when I went to Barcelona. We won the Greek league and cup.

Jamie: And after success in Greece you spent a season in Monaco before the big move to Barcelona. Then you got to play with Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta. It must have been incredible to work with players like that?
Yaya: It was unbelievable. In my second year I won six trophies, which was an amazing achievement for an African player coming from Monaco. I was the only player who came from a small club but I learned so much about preparing for games and being professional. After that I always came to training an hour or two early because, for me, that’s very important.

Jamie: I read a few weeks ago that Barcelona said the one player they would like to sign again was you...
Yaya: (laughing) I know they loved me there and it was difficult to get out of Barcelona. Pep Guardiola said he wanted me to stay, but I knew it was the right time for me to go. I was 27 and it was time to move on and try to continue to play. I wanted to come to England with a big club and win trophies.

Jamie: You lost to Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League last month. How do you think City can make the strides needed to become European champions?
Yaya: We already are. We have a fantastic manager and we are playing good football, which the players are enjoying a lot. We have a few things to do better and there are always some difficult clubs that will cause us a lot of problems.
The Barcelona game was a good example. We went out because of our first game, at home, where we respected them a lot. By the second game we showed different things but by then it was too late. It’s good for next year.

Jamie: It sounds bright for the future, but what about this year? In 2012 you won the title with Roberto Mancini and now you have Manuel Pellegrini in charge. Is there much difference between the two managers?
Yaya: It’s difficult to criticise the managers because they both work us very hard. Mancini had a different style, it was more about defensive skill, and with Pellegrini we are more attacking. All the players are enjoying it and we are improving.
Samir Nasri and David Silva are doing fantastically well and Sergio Aguero is fantastic. We got new signings who have helped a lot. Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo have been great this season and I hope, with all this hard work we have done, at the end we will lift this trophy.

Jamie: I’ve not seen many players come into the league and settle as quickly as Fernandinho. He is the perfect foil for you, he sits and protects the back four while you work your magic. Is he easy to play with?
Yaya: He’s very clever. Brazilians play pretty, fantastic football and Fernandinho is clever — he anticipates well, he presses well.
His movement is so good but he can play with the ball as well. Before he came to City, he was at Shakhtar playing in my position, more as an offensive midfielder. Sometimes we have some difficulties because when he attacks I have to stay more to protect the defence, but we are doing well and he helps me a lot. The manager demands a lot from us because he wants us to have more of the ball and he wants us to attack. He doesn’t want to just score and defend.

Jamie: You have scored 22 goals this season, including some spectacular free-kicks. When I watched you at Barcelona you never took a free-kick and now you’re bending them in the top corner every time! What’s changed? Do you practise them a lot?
Yaya: Of course. In my first year with Mancini, I took them in training. But in a game it was difficult because Carlos Tevez would just take the ball and hit it.

Jamie: Was he a bit greedy?
Yaya: Yes! And Mario Balotelli. But afterwards it was easier. Because I’m an experienced player, I’m calmer than the rest. When I want to shoot, first of all I only take a few steps back. For me it’s not just about the power, it’s about the technique as well. When you hit the ball, it has to be with precision. In England, you get a lot of tall players in the wall and it can be difficult to get the ball up and down quickly.

Jamie: What about penalties? Did you learn any techniques from playing with Messi and Drogba?
Yaya: Penalties are all about being calm. Joe Hart is very good with penalties: he’s quick in his movement, goes down very fast and he waits until the last minute. It makes it difficult in training for us but it’s good for me because in a match you can come up against a good goalkeeper who can stop your penalty, but we have had practice.

Jamie: When you won the title in 2012, it came down to that last-gasp winner from Sergio Aguero. Do you think the same thing could happen this year?
Yaya: I hope so! I remember in 2012, it was so difficult until the last minute. I hope Aguero will be fit because we need him. Edin Dzeko and Negredo have been fantastic this season, but especially Aguero. He makes such a difference.

Jamie: Are there any individuals at Liverpool you will be watching out for? Do you have any special plans for Luis Suarez?
Yaya: This year they have been playing as a team. Brendan Rodgers is a great manager and everybody has been happy with him. Even my brother Kolo has had low game time but he is very happy with him. He always keeps his team 100 per cent fit and concentrating so it’s going to be tough.
Against Liverpool, everything is going to come from everywhere. Gerrard can score penalties and free-kicks and Suarez is a danger man. But football is all about winning, about technique, about being clever and sharper. We are playing very well and we have a fantastic side. My target is to win a lot of trophies with this club.

Jamie: Yaya, it’s been a pleasure. I’d love to wish you good luck against my old team but I don’t think I can!
Yaya: Thank you. It will be a very difficult match but when you love your job and you love this sport, you can do anything.

[Chazza]

Augero in the city squad.

[ame]https://twitter.com/mikekeeganmen/status/454589324747890688[/ame]

[kingfunk]

Great!

[john316]

No match practice for him so I'm not expecting him to be a 90 minute threat.

[Pablo]

Do they start him then drag him off when he's spent? Or bring him on with 30 minutes to go?

I guess they'll feel they have to start him. Hopefully they're rushing him back before he's ready.

[rodo]

bit of a gamble to start him and to be honest i would be happy with that as he cant be match fit and nowhere near the pace we will be playing at

[Rich]

Good finisher though

[souliv]

Be interesting to see how up for it Aguero is given he wants to go to World Cup and is just coming back from injury.

[Yozza]

Paul Merson's Premier League predictions - Week 34



Man City v Liverpool: winner will be champions, says Merson

Liverpool v Man City (12.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1)

For me, whoever wins this match will win the Premier League. The winners will have all the momentum, but if I'm being honest I don't see either of them winning it. I can't wait to watch it, though, and I think it will be a very entertaining football match because Man City don't go anywhere and defend, while Liverpool won't sit back because this is their chance to win the league.

There's not a lot between these teams at all, but the return of Sergio Aguero will make a lot of difference to City. Liverpool will struggle to live with him - but at the same time I don't see how Man City can live with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. The atmosphere at Anfield has been absolutely phenomenal recently - and for the Liverpool fans and players to win this game and virtually win the league on the day they commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough is the sort of script you couldn't write. They have been brilliant this season and winning nine games on the trot is a huge ask in any league, but I'm going for a 1-1 draw - although it really wouldn't surprise me if it was 3-3.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

[kingfunk]

Be interesting to see how up for it Aguero is given he wants to go to World Cup and is just coming back from injury.

I reckon he won't be pushing himself to the max in fear of further injury.

[Shaggy]

Suarez is better than him anyway. They'll be much more worried about Suarez than we are about Aguero.

[Yozza]

Jan Molby: Man City won't be able to hand classy Reds in Sunday's showdown

Rodgers men will tear into City like they have down to teams at Anfield all season

I have no doubt that this Liverpool FC team will deliver against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

I just think Brendan Rodgers will go for it. We’ve been successful all season playing an attacking brand of football so why change now?

Liverpool won’t hold back. They will look to get at City from the start like they did at home to Arsenal and Everton. Of course on Sunday the challenge is much greater because City are better than those two teams. There hasn’t been this much riding on a league game at Anfield since we faced Arsenal in 1989. Back then Liverpool were expected to win but this is different.

Man City are the team under pressure. Considering the money they’ve spent, they are expected to win the title. Whatever happens, Liverpool have had an excellent season.

Nothing will be decided on Sunday but a Liverpool victory would be a huge step towards winning the title. It would put us seven points clear of City and despite their two games in hand that’s a decent advantage.

If we lose, we would still be ahead of City and they still have to go to Goodison. A defeat on Sunday would be a bigger blow for City than it would be for Liverpool.

I watched both teams last weekend and although they beat Southampton, City looked like a team who simply wanted that game out of the way. Their focus seemed to be on Liverpool already.

They were lacklustre and poor without the ball which has to give Liverpool hope.

We did what we had to do at West Ham. When you dominate a second half like that you’ll always give yourselves a chance to get maximum points. Two of our last three games have been won in that fashion. You can’t win every game by four or five playing beautiful football. Sunderland and West Ham both set out to frustrate but Liverpool found a way to win. City won’t set up like that. They will back their own attacking abilities.

With Nasri, Navas and Silva, they will believe they’re good enough to hurt Liverpool. It will be interesting to see whether they rush back Aguero from injury. I actually hope he does start. He’s had a difficult three months and when he came back last time he wasn’t the old Aguero.

I don’t think he will be able to return and have a massive impact.

If Dzeko leads the line it will be a totally different challenge. He’s a threat in the air but he doesn’t create much on his own.

I can’t see it being a tactical battle, it will be full of excitement. I don’t think City will be able to cope with our pace. We will work that bit harder and move the ball quicker. I fully expect a Liverpool win.

Throwback to 2005 semi

A scorer of great goals, and a scorer of important ones too. Luis Garcia's contribution to Liverpool's 2005 Champions League success secures him a place among the modern Reds legends. His song, still sung on the Kop to this day, ensures him cult hero status.Luis Garcia's goal against Chelsea in 2005 sends Liverpool to Istanbul

THE atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday will be a throwback to the Champions League semi-final in 2005.

I can see the stadium being full 20 minutes before kick-off which is unheard of these days.

It will be a new experience for a lot of these Liverpool players but I'm sure the atmosphere will make them feel 10 feet tall.

With the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough coming up it's going to be an emotional afternoon.

This is the time of year when the families of the 96 need all of our support more than ever.

A lot of us former players are getting ready to play in the 'Celebration of the 96' match at Anfield on Easter Monday.

I'm part of the Rest of the World team and I went on a spying mission to check out Kenny Dalglish's UK and Irish legends during a training session at Melwood this week.

What did I learn? Well, let's just say I want to be on the pitch at the same time as Ronnie Whelan!

There's been a great response with 35,000 tickets sold already. There's such a buzz around the club at the moment with the first team doing so well and that has really galvanised the support.

Big decisions for Brendan Rodgers

BRENDAN RODGERS has some big selection decisions to make ahead of Sunday’s game.

Does he bring back Daniel Agger or stick with Mamadou Sakho alongside Martin Skrtel? The two centre-backs coped well with Andy Carroll last weekend and it’s a tough call for the manager.

Agger had enjoyed a decent run before West Ham and seemed to be getting better and better. He has more experience and is vice-captain which might give him the edge.

In terms of the midfield, Lucas Leiva did well when he came on against West Ham but I think he’ll have to settle for a place on the bench.

I’d expect both Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho to start. Then if we do find ourselves in a nervy situation we’ve got Lucas and Joe Allen to bring on.

[Shaggy]

John Henry is in town this weekend.