Alex Keble explains why the tactical battles with Newcastle and Tottenham could take the title initiative away from Man City and hand it to Liverpool.
As soon as Liverpool and Manchester City had drawn 2-2 at the Etihad, attention turned to this weekend’s game at Anfield. Tottenham were widely seen as the most difficult opponent either club had left, and indeed there is a good chance this weekend will be the one; the couple of days we look back on as decisive. But if momentum at the top of the table is to swing, it is more likely to be in Liverpool’s favour.
It is Newcastle United who present the banana skin, not Spurs.
Eddie Howe’s men have the capacity to absorb pressure and slow games down by getting everyone behind the ball, and can do so without dropping so deep they are simply waiting to be beaten. A compact shape, with aggressive pressing in the middle third of the pitch, is exactly how Crystal Palace and Southampton took points (twice each) from Man City.
What’s more, physical and mental weariness from City’s shock Champions League elimination only makes it more likely the flaws of this team – and yes, that includes missing an out-and-out number nine – will be drawn out.
Throughout the campaign Pep Guardiola’s side have, at times, looked in desperate need of that striker. Any pundits trying to sidestep the too-easy analysis that City could do with one, and are in fact a better team for having a rotating set of false nines, need only remind themselves that Guardiola pushed hard to get Harry Kane over the summer. He knew it was a problem.
Big Weekend: Liverpool v Spurs, Man City, Jesse Marsch, Richarlison, EFL play-offs and final day
And it clearly was against Real Madrid, who should have been easily beaten over the two legs given how many chances City created. Instead, it is the team with a clinical, killer striker who keep squeezing through the knockout rounds. Back in the Premier League, without a striker City can be guilty of…
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