Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson was left applauding the quality on show as Liverpool took on Manchester City last weekend.
Wilson was speaking on The Footballer’s Football Podcast alongside Michail Antonio. Asked by Antonio for his thoughts on the game, Wilson said he was in awe of what he was seeing from the two teams.
“It was a good game, two great teams going head to head. Some of the quality of balls and goals which were on show, I was sat there clapping, just applauding the goal, thinking these goals are like top quality goals,” said the England forward.
Wilson feels that Liverpool still have a shot at the title due to the unpredictable nature of the Premier League. He also feels that with both The Reds and City still to play Newcastle, his team could have their own say in the matter.
“I feel that it probably wasn’t going to be decided on that day, who was going to win the league,” he said.
“Because teams are having nothing to play for and are kind of either in holiday mode already or playing with extra confidence because they have nothing to fear and lose, so some crazy results are happening.
“City and Liverpool have games to play and they both have us to play, so we could have a little say in the title race.”
The good news for Wilson is that Liverpool get to do it all over again this weekend as they take on City once more.
Taking advantage of City’s slog in Madrid
As a result of the hectic nature of Liverpool’s schedule, the game against Pep Guardiola’s team last Sunday already feels a long time ago.
Both teams have cemented their place in the last four of the Champions League since then.
Liverpool rotated most of their key men as they played out a chaotic 3-3 draw with Benfica. Despite the dramatic score line, Liverpool’s progression never really looked in doubt.
City meanwhile were put through the wringer against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. It’s never straightforward against Simeone’s men and so it proved last night for Guardiola.
Potential injuries were picked up to Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker. On top of that, the travel and the mental toll of facing such an aggressive opponent could all mean that the champions may not quite be firing on all cylinders come Saturday.
Liverpool need to take advantage of that to secure a first FA Cup final since 2012. In doing so they could lay down a phycological marker to Guardiola’s team.
The past week has been intense for both teams. As a result it may not be quite the spectacle that last Sunday’s pulsating draw was.
Winning is all that matters at this stage of the season though. Liverpool must learn from some of their mistakes at the Etihad to go one better this weekend.
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