Manchester City’s main striker, Erling Haaland’s absence from the team left manager Pep Guardiola no choice but to count on Argentine forward Julian Alvarez to produce some magic on the pitch. The top of the table clash against Liverpool at Anfield was a monumental opportunity for City to clinch their third Premier League title in a row. Guardiola knew he had to choose his starting line-up carefully, giving due consideration to his available options.
Delayed selection process led to Haaland’s absence
Haaland withdrew from international qualifiers with a groin problem. Before the match, Pep Guardiola spoke with Haaland and felt good about his condition, but he postponed the matter of selection until the last moment. Reports suggest Haaland would be given one final training session to prove his fitness ahead of the Liverpool match. Unfortunately, the last-minute evaluation left Guardiola with no choice but to leave Haaland out of the north-west clash. Bernardo Silva is also absent from the team while Phil Foden faces a long-term problem. Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez were named upfront with Jack Grealish.
Manchester City and Liverpool renew rivalry
The match between Manchester City and Liverpool is always an intense affair since both teams fight for the top spot of the Premier League every season. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are racing to get themselves back into a top-four finish, starting today’s contest in 6th place. Anfield was hostile territory for Manchester City, as they had not won there in nearly eighteen years.
Julian Alvarez’s potential impact on Man City’s attack
Julian Alvarez could be a key player in Man City’s match against Liverpool if he gets a chance to start. If Erling Haaland is unable to play, Alvarez could potentially start as the lone striker or behind another striker. Alvarez has scored 11 goals in competitive action for Man City this season, including five goals in six Premier League starts. Despite not scoring in 18 substitute appearances, Alvarez has performed well as a substitute and may be more impactful as a starter. Alvarez has performed well as a lone striker in cup competitions but has not been given many opportunities in that position in Premier League matches. When used as a floating No. 10, Alvarez has scored four goals in three matches. Alvarez’s speed and movement make him a threat to opposing defenses, averaging a team-leading 22 sprints per 90 minutes. Although his minutes-per-goal ratio is slower than Haaland’s, Alvarez has a lethal finishing ability in the penalty box. If given the chance to start against Liverpool, Alvarez’s record in the 2022/23 season suggests he is ready to make an impact.
Liverpool’s team news ahead of the game
Luis Diaz won’t be playing against Manchester City due to needing more time to build up his fitness. Darwin Nunez has recovered from a cut ankle sustained against Real Madrid and is available to play against Manchester City. Liverpool will have to be patient with Luis Diaz and wait for him to build up his fitness before he can play. He may be ready to play against Arsenal but more likely against Leeds. Naby Keita is ruled out due to picking up an injury on international duty with Guinea. Thiago is on the comeback trail after nearly two months out with a hip flexor problem and could be part of next week’s team training. Joe Gomez is fully back from injury. The team’s intensity and training will have to be managed due to different players coming back on different days.
Final thoughts
The match between Manchester City and Liverpool saw both teams testing each other’s strength, stamina, and strategy all over the pitch. Pep Guardiola’s decision to start Julian Alvarez upfront paid off as the young Argentine forward scored the first goal of the game. Liverpool’s pressing and creativity were not enough to stop Manchester City’s relentless attack, which led to City’s second goal by Riyad Mahrez. While there are still crucial matches left in the season, this victory may prove decisive for Man City’s third Premier League title win in a row.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
