Kevin De Bruyne has claimed that Manchester City have far more control than Liverpool during games.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, De Bruyne looked ahead to City’s clash with the Reds on Sunday.
“I expect them to be at the best Liverpool possible. Obviously, they lost some points but they are still Liverpool and I expect them to be good, that’s the only way I see it. I like big games, I like good atmospheres,” said the Belgian.
“It’s a game like any other, obviously, it’s hard playing away at a top-six team always. I think the last few years we’ve done well, even last year if we didn’t win so I think it’s probably going to be a good game again.”
On why he thinks Liverpool have struggled to match City this season, De Bruyne offered his own theory.
“Maybe we have more control of the game, they are more of an up-and-down team and we are a team who has more control of the game, so if you can control that style of play then maybe you have more of a chance,” he said. “Last year I thought we played great but we didn’t win any of the games so sometimes it goes that way.”
Liverpool struggling amidst the chaos
De Bruyne has proved something of a nemesis to Liverpool in recent times. The 30-year-old scored home and away against the Reds last season.
It seems to state the obvious, but if Jurgen Klopp’s side are to take anything from the game on Sunday, then keeping out De Bruyne will be key.
The focus will naturally be on shackling the goal machine that is Erling Haaland. But the Norwegian’s midfield colleague is often the man who lines up the bullets for him.
Shut down De Bruyne and you have a good chance of stopping the threat at source.
That’s easier said than done of course, especially for a Liverpool team low on confidence and points. Last night’s thrashing of Rangers should give them some hope, though.
The Gers don’t have anyone of nearly the same quality as De Bruyne, but Liverpool looked more solid on Wednesday. There was certainly a little more of the control that the City man refers to, anyway.
Against City, it’s near impossible to find that grip on the game. Even in Liverpool’s best win over them in recent times – last season’s FA Cup semi-final – they lost their way in the second half.
Instead, Sunday’s game is likely to be chaotic. For a side used to so much control, perhaps that will just unsettle City enough for Liverpool to take advantage.
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