Defensive Concerns Grow as Liverpool Take on Man City | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Title Challenge Faces Crucial Test Against Man City

Liverpool’s relentless pursuit of the Premier League title continues as they prepare for a massive clash against Manchester City. On the Stat Me Up podcast for Anfield Index, Dave Davis and Dr Phil Barter analysed Liverpool’s recent performances, including the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, and discussed what needs to change ahead of the crucial game at the Etihad.

Defensive Concerns Need Urgent Attention

Liverpool’s defensive structure has been inconsistent, and the statistics reveal a concerning trend. “The duel rates are down,” Barter noted. “Virgil’s aerial duel rate was down at 60%, Konaté at 50%.” Those numbers may not seem alarming in isolation, but against a team with Man City’s ability to exploit space, they could prove decisive.

Photo: IMAGO

Another concern is the midfield’s ability to control the game out of possession. “Our six is clocking a duel rate at 17.7% win rate. That’s a bit of a concern for me,” Barter admitted. Against City’s press-resistant midfield, Liverpool must improve their physicality and ensure they do not allow easy transitions.

The Villa game also showed defensive vulnerabilities. “They had two opportunities really and scored,” Barter said. “Normally we would have defended that well.” The issue is not just individual errors but a collective drop-off in intensity. City’s attack, even when not at full strength, will exploit any lapse.

Managing Squad Fitness is Key

One of Liverpool’s biggest challenges heading into this fixture is squad management. Barter highlighted concerns about minutes being overloaded on key players. “You cannot afford to blow Trent and Jota’s minutes against City because we need them for Newcastle,” he explained. With two crucial games in a short space of time, Slot must be strategic in his selections.

The right-back position is particularly vulnerable, with injuries causing issues. “With Bradley being injured, that’s a massive warning problem because it means we’ve only got a right-back for 60 minutes,” Barter noted. That means the intensity of the first half against City will be critical. “Can we win the game in 50 minutes?” he asked, recognising that Liverpool’s best chance of success may come from a fast start before fatigue sets in.

A Tactical Battle at the Etihad

Manchester City remain formidable, but they have shown weaknesses this season. “They’re still averaging around 15 shots a game, which is decent,” Barter pointed out, but defensively, they have been more vulnerable than in previous years. “They’re conceding over 10 shots per game, which is unlike them,” he added.

Liverpool’s pressing game must be at its sharpest, but the risk of pressing City too high is clear. “If you try and high press the City side, you have to be really good at it because they are really press-resistant,” Barter warned. “Every single one of their players is very comfortable playing a little triangle, getting themselves out of trouble.”

That means Liverpool must be intelligent in their approach. The high-energy press that has brought success in recent years needs to be balanced with discipline, ensuring that when they win the ball, they make it count.