Manchester City arrive at Anfield on Sunday unbeaten under new manager Enzo Maresca, but despite their perfect start, Liverpool have several reasons to believe they can expose the Premier League champions.
City began the season in impressive fashion, winning every match before the international break. However, their recent 5-3 victory over Sunderland exposed weaknesses that Liverpool will be eager to exploit.
The bigger question is whether City’s players can maintain their focus after the club was found guilty of financial regulation breaches. With the verdict dominating the headlines, Maresca faces a major test in one of the most hostile environments in English football.
Liverpool Must Attack City’s Midfield
One of City’s biggest weaknesses has appeared in central midfield.
The departure of Rodri has left a huge hole, and although City brought in Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez, replacing the Spanish midfielder’s influence was never going to be straightforward.
Fernandez offers excellent passing between the lines, but his defensive numbers have raised concerns.
He is averaging just 0.99 tackles per 90 minutes and has been dribbled past 1.65 times per 90. That could become a major problem against a Liverpool side capable of attacking quickly through the middle.
Liverpool should therefore look to play directly through the centre whenever possible and force Fernandez and Anderson into uncomfortable defensive situations.
Long Balls Could Cause City Serious Problems
Liverpool also have an important advantage in the air.
The Reds rank second in the Premier League for successful long balls, averaging 28.6 per 90 minutes. City have already shown vulnerability when opponents use quick, direct passes behind their defensive line.
Bournemouth exploited a similar weakness earlier in the season, while Sunderland repeatedly caused problems with balls into the spaces between City’s full-backs and centre-backs.
If Alexander Isak is fit, his ability to run beyond the defence could make this approach even more dangerous.
City’s Full-Backs Can Be Exposed
Maresca has introduced an unusual system in which his full-backs frequently move into midfield.
That gives City an extra player in possession, but it can also leave gaps when they lose the ball.
Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol are both capable players, but neither is completely comfortable when isolated in certain defensive situations.
Liverpool should therefore look to attack quickly after winning possession, particularly in the spaces behind City’s full-backs.
Fast transitions could be one of the most effective ways to prevent City from settling into their possession game.
Set Pieces Could Be Liverpool’s Secret Weapon
Liverpool also have a major advantage from set pieces.
City have struggled to defend dead-ball situations this season, ranking near the bottom of the Premier League for expected goals conceded from set pieces.
Liverpool, meanwhile, possess tremendous aerial strength.
Virgil van Dijk, Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet give the Reds a formidable presence in the box, while Dominik Szoboszlai can provide dangerous deliveries from corners and free kicks.
Liverpool have yet to score from a league set piece this season, but their chances suggest the breakthrough could be coming.
Against a City side that has shown weakness in the air, this could be the perfect opportunity.
Liverpool Must Be Careful of Haaland and Cherki
Of course, attacking City’s weaknesses does not mean Liverpool can ignore their strengths.
Erling Haaland remains City’s biggest threat. The Norwegian needs very little space to punish an opponent, particularly when crosses are delivered into the box.
Rayan Cherki is another player Liverpool will need to monitor closely.
The Frenchman has already established himself as one of City’s most dangerous creators, while his movement between midfield and attack could cause problems for Liverpool’s centre-backs.
If Liverpool press Cherki aggressively, they must be careful not to leave space behind for City’s other attackers to exploit.
Anfield Could Make the Difference
There is also a psychological element to Sunday’s match.
City may arrive unbeaten, but the atmosphere at Anfield is likely to be intense, particularly after the financial verdict that has dominated the headlines surrounding the club.
Liverpool cannot allow themselves to become distracted by City’s problems. Their focus must remain on exploiting the weaknesses on the pitch.
If the Reds can attack City’s midfield, use direct balls into the spaces behind the full-backs and make the most of set pieces, they have a genuine opportunity to inflict City’s first defeat of the season.
The ingredients are there.
Now Liverpool must execute the plan.
