In the Premier League, these two teams are worlds apart; however, in the Carling Cup, it is the underdog who holds the advantage.
Liverpool is a team of multiple facades. On one hand, the top sides don’t fancy facing them as Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea would testify. On the other hand, the smaller sides always fancy their chances against them as Bolton proved against them.
Liverpool can play wonderful fast-paced football as they showed last season in their thrashings of Fulham and City. Liverpool can also defend doggedly as they showed in the first leg of the Carling Cup. They kept a potent City attack out for the entire ninety minutes while bagging one at the other end themselves.
Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in a hotly contested match this weekend. The match was as controversial as Arsene Wenger’s decision to substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United if not more. Joleon Lescott and Mario Balotelli should have earned reds for serious foul-play.
Balotelli was given a four-match ban by the English FA and rightfully so for the mark he left on Scott Parker. He will thus be unavailable for this match. Liverpool’s Jay Spearing will most likely be unavailable due to injury.
Liverpool lost to Bolton 3-1 this week. Liverpool hasn’t even reached double figures in terms of Premier League wins this season and lies seventh in the table, a full 19 points behind City. City got the better of them this season in the League. Liverpool was battered 3-0 in that game, a result that is still fresh in the minds of players.
This time, however, the onus is not on Liverpool to win- it is on City. Liverpool is a stubborn side at home- they are difficult to break down. Here is a stat that Liverpool fans will surely be telling their City counterparts: City has failed to beat Liverpool in Anfield in nine attempts since their last win in 2003. Liverpool has the lead- they only need a draw to progress to the next stage of the Carling Cup.
Also, there is the simple matter of ‘importance’. City is well positioned to win the league this year. Their sights will be focused on doing exactly that. With all due respect to the Carling Cup, the Premier League is a much more important competition. City has two tough fixtures awaiting them following this match against Everton and Fulham.
Liverpool on the other hand, has very little chance to win the league. They will be fighting for the final Champions League spot and have very little chances of challenging for the title. After all, making up 19 points with only 16 matches to go is a tough ask for any side.
Liverpool’s only realistic chance of winning a trophy is seemingly this competition. They have not win a trophy since a victory over Chelsea won them the Community Shield in 2006.
So, can Liverpool win the tie? They have the advantage- all they have to do is take their chance.
Liverpool can play wonderful fast-paced football as they showed last season in their thrashings of Fulham and City. Liverpool can also defend doggedly as they showed in the first leg of the Carling Cup. They kept a potent City attack out for the entire ninety minutes while bagging one at the other end themselves.
Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in a hotly contested match this weekend. The match was as controversial as Arsene Wenger’s decision to substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United if not more. Joleon Lescott and Mario Balotelli should have earned reds for serious foul-play.
Balotelli was given a four-match ban by the English FA and rightfully so for the mark he left on Scott Parker. He will thus be unavailable for this match. Liverpool’s Jay Spearing will most likely be unavailable due to injury.
Liverpool lost to Bolton 3-1 this week. Liverpool hasn’t even reached double figures in terms of Premier League wins this season and lies seventh in the table, a full 19 points behind City. City got the better of them this season in the League. Liverpool was battered 3-0 in that game, a result that is still fresh in the minds of players.
This time, however, the onus is not on Liverpool to win- it is on City. Liverpool is a stubborn side at home- they are difficult to break down. Here is a stat that Liverpool fans will surely be telling their City counterparts: City has failed to beat Liverpool in Anfield in nine attempts since their last win in 2003. Liverpool has the lead- they only need a draw to progress to the next stage of the Carling Cup.
Also, there is the simple matter of ‘importance’. City is well positioned to win the league this year. Their sights will be focused on doing exactly that. With all due respect to the Carling Cup, the Premier League is a much more important competition. City has two tough fixtures awaiting them following this match against Everton and Fulham.
Liverpool on the other hand, has very little chance to win the league. They will be fighting for the final Champions League spot and have very little chances of challenging for the title. After all, making up 19 points with only 16 matches to go is a tough ask for any side.
Liverpool’s only realistic chance of winning a trophy is seemingly this competition. They have not win a trophy since a victory over Chelsea won them the Community Shield in 2006.
So, can Liverpool win the tie? They have the advantage- all they have to do is take their chance.
