I Want Liverpool To Make Anfield A Nightmare For Manchester City

I’ve been back from my holiday for a couple of days now, and I’ll tell you something, the nerves are starting to kick in. I’ve been looking forward to Liverpool against Manchester City since the fixture was announced, but with everything that has happened over the past fortnight, the significance of this game has grown enormously in my mind.

Outside of a final, I genuinely believe this is one of the biggest games Liverpool have played in a long time. Manchester City arrive at Anfield following the guilty verdict over their financial charges, and there is a sense that English football is watching to see what happens next. I want Liverpool to win for the three points, for our supporters and for the message it would send to a club that has spent years treating the rest of the Premier League with contempt.

I’m probably putting more pressure on myself than I should, because I know how football works. City are top of the league, Liverpool have been inconsistent and we have some significant injuries. But I cannot bear the thought of watching them leave Anfield with three points and smug smiles on their faces.

For me, this is a must-not-lose game, and I want Anfield to make absolutely certain Manchester City know how we feel about them.

Anfield Has A Message To Send Manchester City

I’ve spoken extensively about Manchester City’s financial misconduct, and I’m sure there will be plenty more to discuss when their punishment is eventually announced. But Sunday gives Liverpool supporters an opportunity to express something that has been building for years.

I want Anfield hostile. I want it loud, intimidating and absolutely relentless from the moment City walk onto the pitch. I’m normally somebody who believes supporters should concentrate on getting behind their own team, but this occasion carries a different weight.

Manchester City have been found guilty of virtually all the charges brought against them, yet the reaction from those associated with the club has been astonishing. We’ve heard excuses, accusations about a supposed red cartel and continued attempts to portray City as the victims of some enormous conspiracy.

I’m absolutely sick of it.

The suggestion that Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have somehow conspired to prevent other clubs succeeding is laughable. Liverpool waited 30 years to win the league. Arsenal endured their own lengthy wait. These clubs built their commercial strength through decades of football, supporters and sensible decisions.

The Premier League’s financial regulations were agreed collectively. They were introduced to protect clubs and the competition, and every member was expected to follow them. You can debate whether those regulations are perfect, but you cannot simply ignore them because they become inconvenient.

What I want on Sunday is an atmosphere that reminds City they are visiting a football club with a history, an identity and supporters who remember everything.

Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker will remember those title races under Jurgen Klopp. The supporters certainly haven’t forgotten. And while we cannot recover those lost moments, we can make sure the next chapter begins with Liverpool giving everything they’ve got.

Iraola’s Attitude Is Exactly What Liverpool Need

Of course, an extraordinary atmosphere will only take us so far. Liverpool have to perform, and that’s where Andoni Iraola comes into this.

I’ve been impressed by the way he’s handled the build-up, particularly his response to losing Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo. Both have been important contributors this season, and their absence is a massive blow when you’re preparing to face the league leaders.

But Iraola hasn’t hidden behind excuses.

He acknowledged the disappointment and immediately reminded everybody that Liverpool still have very good players available. That’s exactly the attitude I want from our manager. You’re at Liverpool Football Club, you have a talented squad and you find solutions.

We’ve already seen encouraging signs since he arrived. Liverpool are playing more direct passes, the intensity is improving and the players appear to be responding to his demands. There are still problems, naturally, because this is a team adapting to a new manager and a different way of playing.

Iraola himself has recognised how quickly opinions change. Win against Manchester City and everybody will talk about progress. Lose and suddenly people will question whether anything has improved.

I don’t want us judging his entire project on one afternoon, although a victory would give everybody enormous confidence.

Gary Neville has questioned whether Liverpool have enough about them to deliver the performance required. I understand his concerns because, frankly, I’m not entirely sure which Liverpool will turn up either.

But I believe this group has the ability to rise to the occasion, and I love that Iraola is challenging players to take responsibility rather than dwelling on who isn’t available.

I’d Trust Wirtz And Give Barcola His Chance

The injuries leave Liverpool with some fascinating attacking decisions, and I’ve changed my thinking on Florian Wirtz.

Before the international break, I was leaning towards leaving him out against Manchester City. His performances had frustrated me, and I thought there was an argument for taking him out of the firing line.

Now, with Isak and Gakpo unavailable, I’d start him in the number 10 position.

This could be a defining afternoon for Wirtz. We know how talented he is, and we’ve seen glimpses of the player Liverpool spent so much money to bring to Anfield. But he needs a performance that makes everybody sit up and remember why we were so excited about his arrival.

A goal or an assist against City could transform his confidence.

I’d have Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai behind him, with Rio Ngumoha on the left, Victor Muñoz on the right and Bradley Barcola through the middle.

Yes, it’s an inexperienced front three, and yes, there are obvious risks. But there’s also tremendous pace, movement and unpredictability. City would have to deal with three players capable of running at defenders, switching positions and creating problems in different areas.

I’ve liked the idea of Barcola playing centrally for some time. We’ve seen how Paris Saint-Germain have used Ousmane Dembélé through the middle, and I think Barcola has attributes that could make a similar approach effective.

I’d also keep Lewis Koumas ready for the second half.

I love the lad’s attitude and how naturally he appears to fit Iraola’s demands. If Liverpool can bring him on after 60 or 65 minutes, when City’s defenders are tiring, his pressing and willingness to chase everything could become a serious weapon.

And if Iraola decides to start him, I’ll back that decision too.

Liverpool Have To Match The Occasion

For all my excitement, I know Manchester City will arrive with a siege mentality. Their players will feel everybody is against them, and Enzo Maresca will undoubtedly use that feeling to motivate his squad.

They’re dangerous opponents, and pretending otherwise would be foolish.

That’s why I want Liverpool to combine the emotion of the occasion with some discipline. Ronald Araújo, Jeremy Jacquet and Van Dijk give me growing confidence defensively, and we’ll need that security against City’s attacking quality.

The midfield must compete for every second ball, the forwards must press with purpose and the crowd must keep driving the players forward even if things don’t go our way immediately.

I’ve predicted a 3-2 Liverpool victory, although I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if this finishes as a score draw. That’s how finely balanced I think the football side of this contest could be.

But what I desperately want is to see Manchester City walking off the pitch beaten, frustrated and thoroughly miserable.

There are occasions when a football match seems to carry the emotions of far more people than the two sets of supporters involved. I believe Sunday is one of those occasions.

I want Liverpool to show the very best of themselves, and I want Anfield to produce another afternoon that people talk about for years.

We’ve waited long enough to see Manchester City held accountable.

Now I’d love Liverpool to give them another reason to wish they’d never made the trip to Anfield.

Much Love.