Liverpool will be able to exploit Manchester City if they attack – thanks to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah
LIVERPOOL go to the Etihad today buoyed by a fine start to the season.
They are on a high from pumping Arsenal 4-0, they have kept Philippe Coutinho and added Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
And I fancy the Reds might be on even more of a high come full-time against Manchester City.
They were magnificent against fellow top-six teams last season with no losses, five wins and five draws.
Those wins are down to how they set up and take advantage of their rivals’ attacking instincts.
Of their three games they had the least possession against Arsenal. They are happy to concede possession and use their pace to hit you on the break.
And you can see from the average-positions pitch map at home to Arsenal (Pitch A) how they have done it.
Look how Sadio Mane (No 19) and Mo Salah (No 11) have stayed high and wide. By doing this they’ve taken advantage of the wing-backs who, in true Arsenal style, have pushed up leaving Mane and Salah able to attack their back three.
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Mane’s goal came from him getting at Rob Holding, cutting in and bending a shot into the far corner.
Now look at the pitch map against Crystal Palace (Pitch B) from their lucky 1-0 win at Anfield.
Palace also played a back three but their wing-backs more often than not stayed put to make it a five.
That gave Mane and No 15 Daniel Sturridge (in for Salah) no space in behind the full-backs. So they drifted inside and deeper and crowded the midfield.
This has a knock-on effect for Roberto Firmino (No 9) as a false nine.
Against Arsenal he had space as not only did Mane and Salah stretch play but the Reds’ defence sat deeper, which pulled the Gunners midfield away from their backline. Against Palace he was crowded out.
Whether City play with a back four or five, they will be on the front foot and leave gaps.
And I expect Liverpool to exploit them.
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