How Liverpool Dominated Manchester City in Three Consecutive Matches
Liverpool‘s recent dominance over Manchester City has been one of the most intriguing tactical battles in modern football. Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have secured three consecutive victories against Pep Guardiola’s side—a feat few teams can boast. As these two Premier League giants prepare to clash once again, Mostbet breaks down the tactical masterstrokes that gave Liverpool the upper hand.
The 4-3 Thriller: January 14, 2018
Liverpool’s 4-3 victory over Manchester City in January 2018 was a statement win. After suffering a 5-0 defeat earlier in the season, Klopp’s men sought revenge—and they delivered in spectacular fashion.
Key Tactical Insights:
- Fast Breaks & Long-Range Strikes: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s early thunderbolt set the tone, exposing City’s vulnerability to quick transitions.
- High Pressing: Roberto Firmino’s relentless pressing forced errors from John Stones, leading to Liverpool’s second goal.
- Salah’s Clinical Edge: Mohamed Salah capitalized on defensive mistakes, including a disastrous clearance from Ederson, to seal the win.
Despite City’s late rally, Liverpool’s aggressive pressing and lethal counterattacks proved decisive.
The Champions League Masterclass: April 4, 2018
Three months later, Liverpool dismantled City 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Guardiola’s switch to a 4-2-3-1 backfired as Klopp’s men executed a near-perfect game plan.
Key Tactical Insights:
- Exploiting the Flanks: Salah and Oxlade-Chamberlain tormented City’s full-backs, with the latter scoring another stunning goal.
- Defensive Resilience: Trent Alexander-Arnold, then a young right-back, stood firm against Leroy Sané’s attacks.
- Midfield Control: James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum disrupted City’s buildup, limiting Kevin De Bruyne’s influence.
Salah’s early goal set the stage for a dominant Liverpool performance.
The Etihad Showdown: April 10, 2018
In the second leg, Guardiola opted for a bold 3-4-3 formation, but Liverpool’s defensive discipline held firm. Despite City’s early goal, Salah’s opportunistic equalizer and Firmino’s winner sealed a 2-1 victory (5-1 on aggregate).
Key Tactical Insights:
- Compact Defending: Virgil van Dijk marshaled Liverpool’s backline, absorbing relentless City pressure.
- Counterattacking Precision: Salah and Firmino punished Otamendi’s hesitation with ruthless efficiency.
- Guardiola’s Overcommitment: City’s ultra-attacking approach left gaps that Liverpool exploited.
The Statistical Edge
Across all three matches, Liverpool outperformed City in key areas:
- Fast Breaks: 12 vs. City’s 7
- Shots on Target: 15 vs. City’s 13
- Tackles Won: 42 vs. City’s 38
Klopp’s tactical adaptability has given him the edge over Guardiola.
What’s Next?
As Liverpool and City prepare to renew hostilities, the question remains: Can Klopp make it four in a row? Mostbet analysis suggests that Liverpool’s blueprint—high pressing, rapid transitions, and defensive solidity—could once again be the difference.
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