Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Match Verdict
Liverpool have a chance to close the gap in the Premier League title race should they deliver victory over Man City.
Neil Mellor reckons that Liverpool must target Manchester City’s full-backs if they are to deliver victory.
A win for Liverpool would move them within five points of the Gunners. However, they face a City outfit that are also looking to take advantage of Arsenal’s slip-up.
An intriguing battle between the modern-day rivals is set to ensue. The Reds head into the encounter following a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League and confidence has been restored following four successive league defeats.
Despite City losing three top-flight games so far, they are still a potent threat who have ambitions of regaining their recent dominance in England. But Mellor believes that the key to Liverpool getting a result will be taking advantage of the defensive vulnerabilities of City duo Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly. Both have operated as full-backs this season despite being midfielders. Liverpool, on the other hand, will have natural defenders in Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson flanking their defence.
What’s been said
Speaking on LFCTV, former Liverpool striker Mellor said: “I think he is an outstanding player, Nunes, but he is a midfield player. Conor Bradley knows how to play that possession; he knows when to go forward and defend. Matheus Nunes is fantastic on the ball but defensively, he might switch off for that one moment, which could be the difference. He is not a right-back, it’s as simple as that. They have not replaced Kyle Walker and that is a problem for Man City.
“City have shown a lot of vulnerability defensively and I think it’s because of the full-back areas. Nunes, people see him as an attacking-midfield player because he’s that good in possession but that ability to sense danger, you don’t have as an attacker.
“O’Reilly is not a full-back. He is a midfield player. He’s a young boy at 20 who is doing very well and learning more about the role but is not a natural left-back; Andy Robertson is. That is the area that Liverpool can really get at.
“He is an experienced player. As much as [Milos] Kerkez has a huge future, sometimes you need that rotation. He might have thought he’d played more but he has such a great attitude and been ready when called upon and now he’s needed. That attitude is why we’ve had so much success.”
Wirtz dilemma
Mellor also believes that Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has a decision to make over Florian Wirtz. The £100 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen has had a soft launch to his Reds career but was excellent in the Madrid victory.
But because of City being weak out wide defensively, Mellor feels that Cody Gakpo will start on the left-hand side of the Reds’ attack. Mellor added: “When the team news comes out, the big question will be will Wirtz start or not? He didn't start against United or Chelsea, came on in both games and made a big difference and was brilliant against Real Madrid. He started on the left-hand side but was more central, in the 5-1 win against Frankfurt, he started on the right but came inside.
“City have got a bit of a weakness out wide (in the full-back areas). I personally would expect us to play wide players. I'd be surprised if Gakpo doesn't start the game. That comes a question does Wirtz play as the false nine or not start the game at all. He will be on the pitch at some point and it is a big question.”
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