Can and Moreno Would Help Liverpool

Manchester City have achieved the ultimate level of stability.  This summer, coming off a title triumph, they managed to not lose any significant contributing players and have strengthened the areas of concern.  Equialim Mangala joins the Citizens and makes an aging defense more youthful, while Fernando impressed in his premier league debut last weekend.  

Liverpool have had similar fortune in the transfer market, securing the services of many young talents in the wake of Luis Suarez’ exit from Anfield.  What gives Manchester City the advantage apart from the obvious Etihad effect is that they didn’t lose their best player this summer.  

Don’t expect Liverpool to struggle as Tottenham did in the months following Gareth Bale’s mammoth move to Real Madrid.  However, questions still remain as to whether or not Liverpool are at the level they were last season.  Suarez contributed with and without the ball, and was loved unconditionally by the Anfield patrons.  

Losing such a mercurial talent and personality typically puts a dent in a squad’s level of play, but Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at replacing his impact.  Two names who could feature at the Etihad Stadium today are Emre Can and Alberto Moreno. 

In a performance that lacked steel in the midfield last weekend against Southampton, Lucas looked way out of depth.  Emre Can, as I speculated last week, could be an inclusion for the Reds who will bring more physicality and energy to the midfield.  Can’s influence would decrease the duties of Steven Gerrard but more importantly inject inspiration into a midfield who will certainly need reinforcements in a longer season.  

Similarly, Alberto Moreno should feature for Liverpool and make his premier league debut.  Moreno was unlucky not to be on the plane to Brazil with La Roja this summer, but that should only encourage the Spaniard to elevate his play further.  Javier Manquillo struggled against Ryan Bertrand and Dusan Tadic and could make way Glen Johnson, who started on the left last weekend, or Jon Flanagan.  

Fernando’s holding presence in the midfield should further allow Fernandinho and/or Yaya Toure to push forward and contribute to Manchester City’s already impressive attack.  His positioning was on-point against Newcastle in the opening premier league fixture and atoned for his embarrassing stumble against Arsenal in the Community Shield.  

Sergio Aguero should be back to full fitness, and David Silva looked a menace in midfield against the Magpies.  The question for Liverpool will be whether or not they can handle such an attack in a hostile environment.  Dejan Lovren is already proving to be a huge upgrade but the second center back position remains a question for the Reds.  

If Martin Skrtel can stay disciplined alongside Lovren, Liverpool could have a chance to take points away from today.  It’s almost inevitable that City will put goals on the board, so Liverpools speedy attack must be on point when they are granted chances by the Blues’ defense.  

Even in such a massive fixture, it’s still early in the season and should bear much determination on the title race.  Then again, earning points is a priority for both sides.  I would be surprised if Manchester City didn’t earn three points at home, but won’t rule out a resilient performance from Liverpool in which Emre Can and Alberto Moreno star.  3-2 Blues in this one for me. 

How Liverpool Can Succeed Against City

If there is one thing premier league viewers can be assured of, it’s that Manchester City will bring it at the Etihad Stadium.  With a 17-1-1 mark last season at home, the Blues come off an impressive title-winning campaign in which they netted 63 goals in front of their home fans.  

Liverpool shared similar success at home, but won’t be playing in the friendly confines of Anfield on Monday evening.  Liverpool and Manchester will meet for just the second premier league fixture of the season in the first marquee matchup between two title contenders in the new campaign. 

If Liverpool are going to have any success against high-octane Manchester City, they must defend better in the middle of the park than they did against Southampton.  James Ward-Prowse was allowed too much time and space, but that’s not to take anything away from the impressive Saints teenager.  

Emre Can has to start in place of the sluggish Lucas, whose time may be wearing thin at Liverpool these days.  Can has the engine and tenacity in the tackle to cause discomfort for the likes of Yaya Toure and David Silva in the midfield.  Can’s presence should ease pressure on Steven Gerrard, while the German is considered by many to be the Liverpool captain’s heir in central midfield.  

The most important area of the pitch for Liverpool will be the defensive line.  Dejan Lovren appears primed to take up a leadership role alongside either Martin Skrtel or Mamadou Sakho.  However, Alberto Moreno would be the focus of attention if he were to make his Liverpool debut on Monday.  

Moreno wowed La Liga with his pace and skill on the ball going forward, but what makes Moreno such a valuable asset to the Reds is his defending ability.  Similar to Jon Flanagan, Moreno has the ability to shut down a flank, something Glen Johnson looks less and less capable of doing.  The Englishman could still feature for Liverpool, but I would argue a fullback tandem of Flanagan and Moreno will be most effective against Manchester City.  

Finally, Liverpool must utilize their speed all over the field if they are to snatch goals at the Etihad.  Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge will feed off of Coutinho, who was recently called up by Dunga to the Selecao.  The aforementioned fullbacks will likely be eager to get forward on occasion, and I personally can't wait to see Moreno pitch in to the attack.  Obviously, taking their likely limited chances is a must if they are to walk away from the Etihad with any points.  

Brendan Rodgers grows more experienced every week in the premier league.  He should have seen Javier Manquillo’s rough go about against Ryan Betrand and Dusan Tadic as a sign that he isn’t ready for a fixture of this magnitude in England.  Manchester City will surely attack Liverpool, so they have to maintain shape and take their chances with pace when they are presented.  For me, a shift in personnel would lead to improvements for Rodgers’ side in such a test on the road.