For four years, their rivalry has punctuated the seasons across the Channel. Liverpool and Manchester City engage in a race fierce title and will meet in the lair of the Citizens, at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday April 10, at 5:30 p.m.
Rarely have the Reds experienced such dramaturgy. Distanced by eight points in January 2022 by Manchester City, Jürgen Klopp’s men made a crazy rise in the standings, taking advantage of the missteps of the Citizens to get one point closer to their rivals.
Liverpool folded without breaking
However, things got off to a bad start. At the start of winter, Manchester City sowed their pursuers, Liverpool and Chelsea, relegated to eight and ten points. For the 21st day, the two rival teams parted with a draw that did no one’s business (2-2). Meanwhile, Manchester City, winner of Arsenal (1-2), then soared in the championship standings. In the press, the idea of a paved way to victory was already gaining ground: The Orient By Day headlined January 15 “On the road to the Premier League title for Manchester City?” while the Telegraphin a burst of optimism, approached half-heartedly “the defeatist mood that Klopp is wise to push away before it’s all really over.” Something to set the tone.
At the same time, thes Reds had to make up for the absence of Mo Salah and Sadio Mané, who had left to play the CAN under the colors of their national team. A hard-felt absence that had prompted Jürgen Klopp to urge all his players to participate more and score in their absence. “We have to find solutions. It doesn’t depend on who plays, it always depends on how you play. Everyone can step up. Everyone is absolutely welcome to score a goal. We have to get through this period and make the most of it”, Jürgen Klopp told the Guardian.
Words that rang true in the heads. From the 22nd day, the Reds, with a start of pride, began their comeback with a 3-0 victory against Brentford. The spark that would open a run of ten consecutive Premier League victories, crunching Crystal Palace, Cardiff, Leicester, Burnley, Norwich, Leeds, West Ham in their advance to the top of the table.
A defense finally found
Liverpool have adapted well in the absence of their executives and can count on the density of their players. Virgil Van Dijk is the strongman in a defense that has conceded just four goals in his last 13 games.
Since his arrival, Liverpool have won 71% in all competitions when the Dutchman is on the pitch, compared to 56% in his absence. Illustration of this density, it is Joël Matip, defender of the Reds who was elected player of the month for March in the Premier League.
Invincible Reds in 2022
Liverpool are surfing on their current form and can capitalize on their invincibility in 2022 in the Premier League. The Reds took 31 points over the period when City only took 24 (with one game less). It is the team that has garnered the most in the five major European championships in 2022. What to announce a breathtaking final in the English championship.
This Sunday, Liverpool could regain the lead in the Premier League standings, after briefly occupying it at the end of the sixth day of the Premier League, September 25, 2021. A draw will not be enough. Faced with Manchester City, which leads the dance by one point, Liverpool rolls for the three points.
Between the two clubs, the tension rises slowly. Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp were full of praise for each other in the press conference ahead of the Premier League clash. The German technician believes that City are the toughest opponents to face. “There is no game in the world like the one developed by City, because they are good at just about every aspect of the game. They don’t have any real weaknesses.“Guardiola, on the other hand, sees his Liverpool counterpart as his”biggest rival “.”I will remember my time here when I retire playing golf. I will remember that my biggest rival was Liverpool, that’s for sure.”