The “wild” top match of the Premier League between Manchester City and Liverpool FC did not find a winner but entertained madly. Jürgen Klopp found a telling comparison.
“What a game. Wild.” Jürgen Klopp’s first conclusion on “Sky” after the final whistle was apt. Just minutes earlier, his side had held Manchester City to a draw despite trailing by two. In what was supposed to be a showdown for the English championship, both the Reds and the Citizens offered intense, fast-paced football, coupled with a constant stream of chances. The biggest football match in Europe at the moment – it was convincing.
While Klopp had likened the rivalry to tennis before the game, his metaphor was somewhat different after the 90 minutes: “We can describe it like a boxing match. Once you put your hands down, you get a massive punch. “
And the boxers in the red trousers took many a hit on Sunday, staggering towards an imminent knockout in their title fight, especially in a weak first half. Time and again, the home side overplayed the LFC defence with high balls, found their target players and looked for a direct route to goal. “I can’t remember when they played so many balls behind the chain,” said Klopp’s telling summary.
City’s second goal was also scored on the same principle. Long ball Joao Cancelo, direct shot Gabriel Jesus, goal (36.). “In the moments when we wanted to take a breather: Bam.” ManCity’s boxers had dealt the Reds their next blow. And yet LFC found their way back into the game immediately after the break through Sadio Mané’s goal to make it 2-2 (46th).
“The start of the second half was much better,” said Klopp, who coached a more settled runners-up in the second period to earn the draw against actually better hosts.
“I liked a lot of things. I think we were closer than ever before,” said the 54-year-old. Nevertheless, Liverpool were only “close”. The draw leaves the Reds one point behind leaders City, with seven games remaining. So the 2:2 rather played into the Citizens’ cards. Still: “Everything is good so far,” Klopp said. “Great game and we have to and can live with the result.”
Title race in the background for now
The title race moves back into the background for Liverpool next week. On Wednesday (9pm), the quarter-final second leg in the top flight at Atletico Madrid is on the agenda. Then on Saturday, the Reds take on ManCity again in the FA Cup semi-final.
