Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Match Verdict
Liverpool next face Man City in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium after a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid.
Kopites are still roistering a famous European victory.
There is something special about Liverpool beating Real Madrid. What makes it even more exceptional is that it was only a week ago that the Reds were said to be in a crisis.
After four successive Premier League defeats, there would have been few who gave Arne Slot’s side a chance against the Spanish giants. A 2-0 triumph over Aston Villa got the English champions back on track. But the Champions League win against Madrid was a true sign that Liverpool are still dining at the very top table.
But celebrations won’t go on for too long. Slot’s troops have to quickly turn their attention to another huge encounter when they travel to Manchester City on Sunday. The modern-day rivals will head into the game knowing at least one of them will drop points in the Premier League title race.
The current holders are already seven points behind leaders Arsenal after seven games. City find themselves six adrift of the Gunners.
A small advantage that Liverpool have is that they have an additional day to prepare for the showdown. City are in Champions League action tonight when they welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium, having earned a 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth last Sunday.
What’s been said
And ahead of Dortmund’s visit, Guardiola has made the surprise decision to train on the morning of the game rather than the day before. The City boss is doing so to try to manage his squad’s workload.
Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference yesterday: “We will train tomorrow morning. I’ve done it a few times. Not a lot, but a few times. Sometimes I prefer it; don’t see each other. It was such a demanding game against Bournemouth and I prefer to stay at home and tomorrow morning we train.
“In Germany, France, all the people in the UEFA Champions League try to play on Friday to have more (days rest) and here is completely the opposite. If I don’t like, I wouldn’t train in England, I’d go to Germany, France – just in case they want me.”
Man City injury news
As things stand, City will only be without Mateo Kovacic against Liverpool. The midfielder finds himself back on the treatment table, with Guardiola admitting Kovacic will be out for a ‘little while’. Sportske Novosti suggests that the Croatia international will require surgery for a problem in his heel that recurred. Kovacic underwent an operation in the summer and it’s said the latest procedure will not be as serious.
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