Liverpool like to play 'long ball' football - Fernandinho Manchester City's Fernandinho describes Liverpool's playing style as "long ball". The two Premier League sides meet in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
I wonder if Pep will try something different? Their usual style has served them well this season but they've come unstuck on a few occasions recently. He knows his defence can be got at, and he knows we have the players to do it, I just wonder if he'll change tactics a little. Of course he can't change too much, with a 3 goal deficit to catch. I'd find it all rather fascinating if I weren't partisan about it.
Pep will keep the same system. To now change it at the last minute would be disastrous as the players are not geared or trained to play any other way. And the manager does not have a plan B. It is interesting to note that every time City lost they collapsed in a narrow time window. To us they conceded 3 in 19 minutes, to the mancs 16 minutes, to Barcelona with Bayern 13 minutes. It means that once they concede one goal, they lose composure and their heads and the opposition has to take advantage during that period. Of course we are overwhelming favourites. We really don’t need to do anything until we are 4-0 down. Then and only then do we need to score 1 goal to go through.
I don't think either side have much to hold back on going into the second leg. No one expected us to get to the quarters anyway, so anything else is a bonus and I don't see Klopp changing much. I also don't see us being favourites either, despite the lead. It's all talk about how capable City are regardless and they can just as easily put 4 past us. We can't defend, so pack the midfield and hit them on the counter. Either frustrate them early on, or pick up an away goal and we'll be laughing. From City's perspective though, they're ****ing 3-0 down! No point having some elaborate plan, pack the attack and go gung-ho. Ironically, this plays into our strengths. I think there'll be goals in this game, City all out and us on the counter? Lots and lots of goals. Should City get knocked out, they aint gonna be happy! The CL is the owners' big dream these days, it's why they continue to fork out so much on the top talent and managers.
