Liverpool face a tall order as they journey to Manchester Metropolis tonight, trying to retain their EFL Cup crown after final season’s home cup successes.
Nevertheless, what stands of their method is a staff Jurgen Klopp might be nicely aware of, as his tactical battle with Pep Guardiola is reignited as soon as extra exterior of Premier League fight.
This makes for an intriguing matchup so early within the competitors, because it pits the solely two golf equipment to have gained the competitors within the final 5 years in opposition to one another.
Though that dominance is seen by way of the 4 gained by the Cityzens within the years previous final season, it nonetheless marks two of the most effective sides within the nation clashing.
Having already confronted them as soon as this season, the Reds ran out 1-0 winners at Anfield in what has comfortably been the apex of their marketing campaign to date.
Exhibiting defensive solidity all through, it should at all times take an almighty process to silence the free-scoring Erling Haaland.
What’s going to improve the problem tenfold is that the Norwegian has been rested all through this World Cup interval, so Klopp should battle fireplace with fireplace.
To quell the specter of the hulking marksman, he should certainly recall his personal equally-rested titan on the again in Joel Matip given the absence of World Cup star Ibrahima Konate and the seemingly fatigue of Virgil van Dijk.
The 31-year-old has had a profession blighted by accidents on Merseyside, but nonetheless stays a “dominant” defender when match, as dubbed by Sami Hyypia.
Having been confirmed accessible by Pep Lijnders, he should recapture his type in what might be his hardest private check this season.
Regardless of that includes sparingly this season, he’ll draw upon final season’s performances as his benchmark for achievement.
Throughout that marketing campaign, he recorded a 7.35 common ranking by which he stored 17 clear sheets, aided by his 1.4 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and a pair of.9 clearances per sport, through Sofascore.
Not solely will Haaland demand the most effective of him defensively – given how he already boasts 18 Premier League targets in simply 13 appearances – however Matip’s capacity on the ball might be crucial to bypassing the Metropolis press.
That yr additionally noticed the £100k-per-week brute report a 90% dribble success fee paired with an 89% move completion fee.
Would you begin Joel Matip vs Man Metropolis?
Sure
No
Any success that Liverpool may need on this fixture will hinge on the African centre-back, so Klopp should begin him tonight.
