Liverpool losing isn’t the world thing in the world.
I think we both knew this was going to be a difficult fixture as far back as when the fixture list was released by the League last August. If we’re honest with ourselves.
Factoring in all that has transpired in the interim, only fuels the intensity of that difficulty; we all knew was coming.
A few things about Pep. He was a fierce competitor as a player, and his managerial time at Barca was both amazing and memorable. Less so at Bayern, only because he failed to bring home a CL crown. He is one of the top three or four managers in the world. Some say he is the best?
He hates losing. And he is a master tactician, at laying out a strategy and sticking to it. He bends opponents to his will, and forces them the play City’s game; with tiki taka keep – away ball, with controlled, precision passing, counter attacking football.
There is no one better in the world at this style, and he has always had the horses in the stable to play this way.
This season, on paper, is his worst as a manager. To be 23 points down to anybody is just unacceptable in his mind.
So he had something extra to play for today. Couple this with their last outing to Chelsea; which sealed the deal for Liverpool, a record with only 7 remaining matches; and they clearly were playing to preserve his, and City’s reputation.
His name will be forever attached to this record and this season. And what of those records that still may fall?
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
City are no slouch or flash in the pan, as long as Guardiola has control of that side. They are the real deal. But so are we; just not on Thursday.
We had far less to play for, as far as respect goes.
Do not worry so much about the score line. Klopp was not about to change his high press.
He came to play Liverpool’s game; which they did for about 20 minutes.
The pace was frenetic and once they got two down it became a game the gaffer was forced to chase for the last hour. The ridiculous third goal just before the half is one to be concerned about. We should not be giving up goals in the 43 min. Period.
City just made it look to easy. Against the best defensive side in the league…the world.
It was clear to me that this wasn’t gonna be the Reds’ day, when Mohamed Salah’s shot ricocheted of the near post. Also the free balls were just bouncing to City’s players feet through the midfield. A tad unlucky on the bounce for our lads.
All in all, I feel this was probably a good thing in the long run, actually. Remember how the Reds bounced back after a similar drubbing in 2017 at the Etihad. Far better to take this drubbing now, than next fall or winter. This will insure they don’t get sloppy or big headed with their success. A little humble here is a good prescription. Yes?
This will test their mettle, and now they know they will need to be as good this fall as last if they fancy keeping the title. This was a wake up call for the fall campaign; there will be no easy matches on the road for the Reds.
This will prove to be an even more difficult mountain to ascend than this last campaign. Klopp has said they do not intend to defend a title…they intend to attack attack attack and let the chips fall where they may. Either we win, or we will lose beautifully! Do not worry, he will have the lads stoked and ready come mid August.
Words by Paul Landwehr.