Liverpool vs Manchester City: How can the Reds win the league?

Is it simply a lack of confidence? Have the players been coached to a detriment? Has the rigid style of play taken a toll upon the players? Finally, and most significantly, how can Klopp and the Reds expose this on Thursday night?

The simple fact is that Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Southampton, until the previously detailed misfortune, have all taken the chances presented to them. City are not exactly porous, but they cannot take a grip over a team defensively such as Liverpool can.

Still, they are not producing on the level that they should offensively because something is just off kilter.

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It should be noted that the Blues built up quite the reputation last season. They intimidated teams into believing them to be invincible. Many teams would just try to not be blown out, in a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

The defeat at Stanford Bridge helped the whole league to realize the truth of the matter, which has taken a toll on City’s play.

As Fabian Delph put it, “it’s the basics of football.” In a rant following a 3-2 defeat to United last season, Delph complains about the complete lack of fundamentals they have when behind.

It is not something that is simple to diagnose, but when City fall behind they tend to struggle to storm back. Liverpool responded straight away after falling to Arsenal 1-0 they claimed a 2-1 lead within minutes, thanks to the efforts of Roberto Firmino.

Playing a passive style will likely result in another 0-0 draw or in a City win. Klopp must attack and seize the early lead, with such a lead City will crumble as they did at Anfield in the Champions League last March.

Klopp will deploy a dangerous lineup with attack capabilities that can match what Pep’s squad offers. That is his advantage, no matter how much money the Spaniard has at his disposal, Manchester City is hollow.

They own some of the most talented players in the world, but there is no Messi here, nor is there a Manuel Neur or Thiago or Thomas Mueller. They have supreme skill, but not the type of players that can take hold of a game. While it is still early, Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson are having a similar impact on Klopp’s squad.

He has not had that room to spend, but he has the ability to spend and has made the most of it. Pep, as opposed to Klopp, has found the best players for his system to work, not necessarily the squad to function properly.

John Stones and Benjamin Mendy are productive players, but Liverpool’s additions of Andy Robertson and Virgil Van Dijk have been sublime. Even up front, Mo Salah and Sadio Mané have both been independently sensational.

They have both proven to be dynamic players on their own, while City’s front line functions more as a unit.

That has paid them massive dividends, but it may be the root cause of this impediment. If no specific player can prove to be larger than the squad, in terms of on-pitch production, then patches of difficulty will be hard to avoid.

Even if the attacker struggle, dominant performances from Robertson, Virgil, and Alisson can lift the Reds.

The closest thing City has to this is Fernandinho, who should be identified as a force for stabilization. However, at the advanced age of 33, his play is in decline and injuries are beginning to mount.

With no real replacement, failed attempts of playing Stones, Illkay Gundogen and Delph in this spot have seemed ugly. Without this City can be had by many a team and Liverpool are more than well-equipped to do so.