Liverpool Fans, This is what Kloop Should Do to Beat Manchester City

Someone did not like Liverpool when they were coming up with the away fixtures for the club, Liverpool have played Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United and now face Manchester City in their next away game.

Jurgen Klopp might have defeated Chelsea three weeks ago, but a 2-1 home loss against Crystal Palace highlighted the amount of work he needs to do if he wants to take Liverpool back into the Champions League next season.

Liverpool are seven points of the fourth position and a positive result in the Etihad stadium would be a bonus for the Reds. Liverpool fans will remember the 3-2 win in the last minute under Rafa Benitez but this Manchester City team is a different animal and with them at the top of the table, the team from Manchester will start as favourites against the Reds.

Manchester City will be hoping that Sergio Aguero and David Silva are fit enough to start, the duo would be a handful for the Liverpool team who themselves have fitness issues for many players. James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Mamadou Sakho are all doubts for the game, though the midfield pair should just about make it to the starting lineup. With Klopp looking to claim another big scalp away from home, we look at what the German needs to do to claim the three points against City.

Start with Lucas and Can in midfield

Manchester City will have a pretty combative midfield and even if Milner and Henderson are fit enough to play, Liverpool should start with Emre Can and Lucas Leiva in the heart of midfield. Both players have been resurgent for the Reds this season and play the kind of full-throttle football that Jurgen Klopp loves and demands.

Lucas and Can will be a formidable partnership that will keep things compact in midfield while they break up the attack of Manchester City. They would need to be at the top of their game if they are to keep City quiet, but this pair is the best option Liverpool have of actually not getting overrun in midfield.

Try to hit City on the break

Manchester City have only conceded nine goals this season and it won’t be easy to get a goal against one of the meanest defences in the league, instead of going with an all-out attacking strategy, Liverpool and Klopp should go with a counter-attack approach.

Dortmund were known for their pace in attack and hitting opponents on the break, Liverpool would not have a lot of possession against Manchester City, but they need to have the pace to hit City when they break. Liverpool will need Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino to be at their best if they want to get anything out of the game. The Brazilians could well hold the key to getting at least one point, if not three, against Manchester City.

Play with Benteke and not Sturridge

Although Liverpool would be boosted by the news of Daniel Sturridge returning to training, Klopp was sure to not put too much hope of him starting against Manchester City. Sturridge might be the best natural finisher at the club but he has had a hard time with injuries and keeping him on the bench makes more sense against Manchester City.

Christian Benteke should start against the other team from Manchester; he has been effective for Liverpool this season, as seen against Chelsea and will give them a big man to target and hold the ball while other players join the attack. Sturridge could come on in the second half to provide some pace but risking him isn’t the way to go, keeping him fit for the rest of the season is the major task for Klopp and his medical team.