Manchester City (a)

[spud_gun]

I think although stones and Laporte is a solid defense, not having Dias, might affect their team psychologically more than anything.

Comparing the teams from what started in the game at anfield- that day Milner started at left back and Jones started in midfield. If I remember correctly, neither were good that day- now we have Trent and Thiago in their places, and also have Diaz to add to the attack. They had their first choice 11 starting that day, now they’re missing their main center back. So, we’re stronger, they’re weaker…

VVD was still playing himself into form / fitness following his injury.

Since January we've turned a corner defensively. I don't think we'd throw the lead away twice on Sunday were we in such a position.

[Mr Pink]

VVD was still playing himself into form / fitness following his injury.

Since January we've turned a corner defensively. I don't think we'd throw the lead away twice on Sunday were we in such a position.

100%

Our run the last few weeks to reignite the title challenge, has reminded me of our form the year we won the league- where we were just so capable of winning 1-0, given how solid we are defensively.

[Sus]

I don't know. Feels like we are still giving up more chances than we did in that 19-20 season (or is that just me wearing red tinted premier league winning glasses??)

[spud_gun]

I don't know. Feels like we are still giving up more chances than we did in that 19-20 season (or is that just me wearing red tinted premier league winning glasses??)

There was a good post elsewhere on this forum about the amount of chances we're giving up.

A good number of those 'chances' were found to be offside.

[RedReet]

Not bad considering we're out of form.

[Irishnev]

Not bad considering we're out of form.

Trent is the best RB in the world and Fab probably the best DM in the world - I genuinely think only KDB gets in as our right sided 8.

[Shaggy]

Firmino absent from training pics today

[RedReet]

Trent is the best RB in the world and Fab probably the best DM in the world - I genuinely think only KDB gets in as our right sided 8.

It's purely statistical on current form

A few fans seem to be worried about our form bizarrely, but even if anybody thinks our results flatter us, statistically our players are still outperforming City in general.

Although now you mention Trent, he's ahead of Walker, so if considering Cancelo has primarly played LB and is behind Robbo in the form table, we should have had 8 players.

[Harv]

It's purely statistical on current form

A few fans seem to be worried about our form bizarrely, but even if anybody thinks our results flatter us, statistically our players are still outperforming City in general.

Although now you mention Trent, he's ahead of Walker, so if considering Cancelo has primarly played LB and is behind Robbo in the form table, we should have had 8 players.

what do they deem current form? How many weeks? Unless its based on the past two games, having no Salah is absurd.

Cancelo at LB over Robo and Trent at RB for me.

[RedReet]

what do they deem current form? How many weeks? Unless its based on the past two games, having no Salah is absurd.

Cancelo at LB over Robo and Trent at RB for me.

From this buildup piece from Sky (about 4/5 way down):

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12573152/man-city-vs-liverpool-pep-guardiola-and-jurgen-klopp-tactics-analysed-ahead-of-title-chasing-showdown

Salah miles ahead overall as you'd expect, but 33rd worst player between both teams on recent form. You'll be pleased to see Mane 40th

[BobTheCharmer]

Woke up this morning on edge. Games not until tomorrow. I think midfield trio should be Fab, Henderson and Keita. I think as great as thiago is, he's going to be closed down so quickly. I have a feeling he'll lunge in like he does and give something away. Maybe controversial but I wouldn't start him. I feel dirty writing it. I don't think he has the legs for this one.

[frank the tank]

I think Naby will start on the bench...... But if I was Jurgen then I'd have been tempted to start fab, Thiago and Naby..... With Hendo to come on and help us hopefully hold a lead...

****in nervous as fock for this one

[Irishnev]

I think Naby will start on the bench...... But if I was Jurgen then I'd have been tempted to start fab, Thiago and Naby..... With Hendo to come on and help us hopefully hold a lead...

****in nervous as fock for this one

We need our most technical and tactically disciplined players in midfield as there will be very little time in the ball and a lot of gaps to plug. For me Thiago is the most press resistant one we’ve got. The fact Hendo didn’t start vs Benfica almost guarantees he starts here.

Huge game and for some reason I am getting more and more confident

[Doc_Piptorious]

Have no doubt that we are going to win. Totally confident of that and if I am wrong I can deal with the feeling of deflation then.

Find it much easier to go into things, and especially things I cannot have any impact upon like watching a game, confident of getting a win/result than pondering the what ifs too much and letting nerves get a grip.



Hell even if we lose I am still going to be thinking we can catch them again


No point worrying about it. We just need to go out there and play our game and put it up to City to either stand up to what we can do and better it or for them to be found lacking on the day.


Tomorrow they are Tommy Hearns and we are Marvin fecking Hagler.

[Kenneth]

I still haven’t shaken off the belief that we’ll never catch them, stemming from when we were miles behind. I’ve already resigned myself to us finishing second and I don’t think that will fully go away unless we win tomorrow. The pessimist in me is keeping me relatively calm about the game.