Arne Slot Anticipates Surprises from Guardiola
Two days before the clash at Anfield, the Dutch manager of Liverpool is convinced Pep Guardiola is cooking up something unexpected, but remains confident in his own team's strength.
This match was meant to be the showdown between the two best teams in England, a contest that could determine who takes control of the Premier League and claim a strong position for the title. While it could help clarify the race for the crown, Liverpool could virtually seal the deal with a win.
While Liverpool, under Arne Slot’s guidance, has maintained an intense pace, Manchester City has faltered unexpectedly, suffering three consecutive losses, including a shocking 0-4 defeat at home to Tottenham—its first loss in 52 matches. This leaves the reigning champions in a tough spot, with the need to avoid another defeat at Anfield to prevent a larger gap from opening between them and their rivals.
A Tactical Twist from Guardiola?
Slot believes the match will be tougher than it appears. "Everyone looks at the results, but when you face them, you analyze them differently," Slot explained. "They led 1-0 against Brighton and could have scored more. They could have been ahead by two or three goals against Tottenham and Feyenoord, but that didn’t happen. They are still a very, very good team. One of the reasons I think Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world—perhaps the best—is that he always finds solutions to his problems. We all know he will find one, but I hope it comes after Sunday."
Slot also expects Guardiola to attempt something unexpected, drawing from the City boss's previous innovations like using inverted full-backs and playing a central defender in the midfield. "I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes up with something no one has thought of to make his team even stronger," Slot warned. "That’s why he’s inspired so many managers around the world. When he came up with this idea, we all thought it was crazy, but then we all tried it because it was brilliant."
Liverpool’s Confidence and City’s Struggles
While Manchester City struggles with both mental and physical challenges, Liverpool remains confident, adapting seamlessly to injuries. Alisson’s absence has been handled brilliantly by Caoimhín Kelleher, and Slot is pleased that no one has been discussing the injuries much, which indicates they are still getting the results. "When you start losing, people talk about the kickoff time or injuries, but we still have ideas about why we lost. Most of the time, it’s about the quality of the opponent and their game plan," Slot said.
The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who missed the last three matches due to a hamstring injury, is a major boost for Liverpool as they head into this crucial match. Despite a poor record of just one win in their last nine encounters against Manchester City, Liverpool is optimistic after breaking a similar streak against Real Madrid. Could they repeat that success?
