MANCHESTER City’s record at Anfield down the years is nothing to write home about and even if it were, it would be a short missive saying, ‘send help’
The last occasion they emerged from L4 with the points was all the way back in May 2003 when Nicolas Anelka grabbed a late winner and since then it’s notable that the manner of the defeats has changed as the context of the fixture has altered beyond all recognition.
Throughout much of the noughties they were out-played, plain and simple but then in 2014 Liverpool had the scent of a first Premier League title in their nostrils and Anfield was akin to a European night. It was hostile; riotous; deafening and inspired by this Brendan Rodgers’ men went on to barnstorm their way to a 3-2 victory.
And ever since it’s been much the same, with City’s propensity to unravel before our eyes under constant bombardment becoming a familiar trope and this was particularly true during the early Guardiola years. Then they would turn up to a roomful of brandished pool cues holding dainty paintbrushes, or to extend on that analogy attempt to play Bach’s Cello Suite in a mosh-pit and unsurprisingly they would leave shell-shocked, in a state of disrepair.
“The motto ‘This is Anfield’ is no marketing spin”, the Catalan grandmaster informed a newspaper last year, his excitable tone betrayed by a thousand-yard stare. “There's something about it that you will find in no other stadium in the world. They score a goal and over the next five minutes you feel that you'll receive another four. You feel small and the rival players seem to be all over.”
In the days ahead, as City again prepare to tackle their recurring bout of Anfield-itis, we will hear a lot about how both teams go into this crucial clash significantly weakened by injury. The Blues will be desperately missing Kevin de Bruyne, their creator-in-chief, and the goals too of Sergio Aguero who has returned to training after a bout of Covid but will likely reside on the bench. The Argentine boasts seven goals in 15 appearances in this fixture though all have been scored at the Etihad.
Yes, Manchester United have Bruno Fernandes…
But have you seen Ilkay Gundogan? pic.twitter.com/odLfOKCTS8
— Goal (@goal) January 26, 2021
(Ilkay Gundogan is in a rich vein of goal-scoring form. He is 13/5 to continue that on Sunday)
As for Liverpool their defensive woes suffered another hit this week with the news that Joel Matip will miss the rest of the campaign. This further exacerbates a situation that has necessitated Jurgen Klopp to use nine different combinations at centre-back since Virgil Van Dijk’s long-term lay-off and almost all of these have involved a reimagined midfielder or a player promoted from the under-23s.
We will hear much about these absentees but only in passing will Liverpool’s most substantial loss be mentioned, so used have we become to fan-less stadia. On Sunday afternoon there will be no hostile atmosphere; no deafening noise and indeed the only inspiration to impel a blitzkrieg of energy and attacks will be shouted from the touchline in a German accent. Consequently, we can expect the cauldron of yesteryear – that so often was City’s undoing – to be positively lukewarm by comparison.
Naturally, this is a huge swerve for the visitors but it’s worth noting that in late 2018 City eventually found a way of negating the usual Merseyside maelstrom. By swapping creativity for copious work-rate a tense 0-0 was played out and when it’s accepted that this fixture has become one each side cannot afford to lose – as illustrated by the drab draw swiftly forgotten at the Etihad in November – don’t discount the possibility of another low-scoring stalemate here.
(Liverpool vs Manchester City – Draw 5/2)
It’s a theory that leads us to Liverpool’s misfiring attack that in reality isn’t misfiring at all: it’s just that an uncharacteristic lean spell across a short period has led to that false perception. Mane, Salah and Firmino have together scored 28 goals to this point of the season and that’s the exact same figure as last year yet still, can it reasonably be said that they pose the same level of collective threat as usual? It certainly feels like a long time since they combined as a united force.
This matters because the formidable trio have routinely terrorized City in the Klopp era, scoring 13 between them yet on this occasion, even if they do rediscover their integrated mojo they will encounter a vastly superior proposition to previous meetings.
City’s back-line to date have been one of the most astonishing stories of 2020/21. The instant impact of Ruben Dias following his move from Benfica and the startling resurgence of John Stones has led to a partnership for the ages and a defensive unit on course to smash several records with clean sheets accrued on a weekly basis.
In 62.5% of their games across all competitions this season City have kept their opponents out while the duo of Dias and Stones have been breached just once in ten league games (and that a late consolation by Chelsea). Should Burnley be kept at bay for the opening ten minutes on Wednesday, Stones can lay claim to have conceded just two goals from a thousand hours of football.
Most clean sheets 2020/21:
11 – Ederson
9 – Emiliano Martinez
8 – Edouard Mendy
7 – Bernd Leno, Alex McCarthy, Nick Pope & Kasper Schmeichel#PL pic.twitter.com/2VlKRnjIgi— Premier League (@premierleague) January 29, 2021
(Manchester City to keep a clean sheet – 29/10)
From such an impenetrable base Guardiola’s men have accumulated 12 wins on the bounce, a run that has rocketed them back to the top of the table, while up front there remains the fascinating development and evolution of a ‘false 9’ set-up, imagined due to the prolonged absence of Aguero.
The fluid interchange of positions can befuddle even those watching from the comfort of home so lord knows how bewildering it must be at close quarters and this returns us finally to Liverpool’s defence.
Will Klopp dare give a debut to either of his new signings, Ben Davies or Ozan Kabak? Or will he err towards experience despite that requiring the further relocation of Jordan Henderson?
If he goes with the first option that will be one hell of a baptism of fire. If the Reds boss however plumps for option two there is the real risk of Henderson struggling with the movement and nuance of three non-traditional number nines all dove-tailing.
Over the years I have written numerous previews for this fixture and always the midfield is highlighted. The goal-scorers are purely those who grab the headlines but in a contest of this magnitude it’s typically won or lost in the centre-circle. This has been proven by tremendous performances by Wijnaldum and Milner at Anfield and Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva at the Etihad.
Yet here, it’s the extremities that count as Liverpool’s disconnected front-line come up against an imperious and well-drilled rear-guard chasing records. At the other end City’s swish new attacking creation will seek to take full advantage of their rival’s patched together back-four.
Throw in the silence where usually there is thunder and the Blues’ Anfield-itis may very soon be put to bed.
(Manchester City to win – 11/8)
