2023-11-25 00:47:04
Expected on the Manchester City pitch for a shock at the top on Saturday (1:30 p.m.), Jürgen Klopp’s Reds will count on their offensive strengths, impressive during the international break.
The Etihad Stadium awaits fireworks. This Saturday (1:30 p.m.) at the opening of the 13th day of the Premier League, Manchester City, leader, welcomes its runner-up, Liverpool. Since the arrival on the benches of Pep Guardiola (2016) and Jürgen Klopp (2015), Citizens and Reds have offered numerous duels at the top, often indecisive and spectacular. The weekend’s shock could be part of this trend, especially as the Scousers arrive at the reigning English champions with an offensive squad in top form.
15 is the total number of goals scored during the international break by Liverpool attackers, out to the four corners of the football world. While the Egyptian Mohamed Salah had fun with a quadruple against Djibouti (6-0), Darwin Nunez scored three times with Uruguay (against Argentina then doubled against Bolivia) and Luis Diaz knocked down Brazil thanks to a double, under the very moved eyes of his father freed by the Colombian guerrillas. Among the Reds finishers, only the Portuguese Diogo Jota remained silent in 90 minutes played against Liechtenstein (6-0).
In Liverpool, the goal is shared
The icing on the cake, even the attacking midfielders were full of confidence. Two goals for Dominik Szoboszlai with Hungary (against Montenegro), three in two matches for Harvey Eliott in the colors of the English Espoirs and finally an achievement signed by the Dutchman Cody Gakpo who took advantage of the weakness of Gibraltar (6-0) . In front of his television, Jürgen Klopp must have appreciated the spectacle, which confirms the excellent dispositions of his players at club.
Before performing in the selection, the German coach’s protégés have especially been tormenting Premier League defenses since August. Especially in their Anfield den where Liverpool have six victories in six games with 17 goals scored, the latest against Brentford (3-0, November 12). Away, the results are more mixed (nine points taken) and can be worrying when going to the dominant Manchester City. But against the Skyblues, who conceded four pawns to Chelsea (4-4) 15 days ago, the firepower of the Reds will undoubtedly have spaces to exploit. This is good, she loves it.
The fit man Darwin Nunez
Imbued with the Klopp style, star Salah will obviously be the main threat for Pep Guardiola’s men. “Le Pharaon”, top scorer for his team with ten goals and four assists in the league, has started yet another season with flying colors. And he relies on lieutenants, who are also reliable and efficient. In the midst of family turmoil in Colombia, Luis Diaz found his father safe and sound and built from this episode a «force» through. A confusing dribbler and constant danger on his side, the former FC Porto player already has four goals (including one in the Europa League) despite a physical problem at the end of October. He aspires to a starting place on the left, it remains to be seen who will occupy the axis of the attack.
The current form should reward Darwin Nunez, impressive in the Uruguayan jersey. Sometimes clumsy, sometimes brilliant, Liverpool’s number 9 looks like an enigma but has gained in consistency in recent weeks, notably finding the net in quick succession against Toulouse (5-1), Nottingham (3-0) and Bournemouth (2-1). “He is a player with potential, no one has ever doubted that despite some difficulties. But now he’s here and it’s a joy. It’s a joy to work with him, to see him work very hard. He’s a different striker, he gives so many options, Klopp was satisfied on November 3, before adding in conference this Friday: Klopp was satisfied on November 3: “Darwin is in a good period, we want to use him as much as possible.”
The abundance of goods must not harm
Arriving from Benfica in the summer of 2022 for 100 million euros (bonus included), the 24-year-old striker had a difficult adaptation on the banks of the Mersey. But he now seems launched with eight decisive actions to his name (four goals and four assists in 11 days), making him the 2nd most decisive Scousers player in the Premier League behind Salah. Nunez indeed brings different «options» to his coach by being able to move to one wing, leaving room for Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo. More discreet in the selection, the Portuguese, who is starting his fourth season with the Reds, has the profile to bother Manchester City. “False” number nine, he shines with his stalls, his movement and his ability to score with both feet (Téfécé can attest to this). His current great form and his eight goals in all competitions have pushed Klopp to use the Batavian Gakpo differently (4 goals in 14 games), sometimes aligned as a very offensive relay player. As a symbol of the Liverpool “machine” rediscovered, even more carried forward and difficult for the opponent to contain.
In support of the prolific attack, the midfielder played by recruits Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister is not to be outdone either and will undergo a full-scale test in Manchester. Beaten only twice this season, at Tottenham (1-2) and more recently at Toulouse (2-3) in the Europa League, the 2019 European champion hopes to take advantage of this meeting to make an impression. And above all assert themselves as a candidate for the title. To do this, it will be necessary to confirm the offensive euphoria while showing solidity defensively. An equation difficult to solve but necessary to bring down the reference of the Kingdom at home.
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