Manuel Akanji believes the time has come for Manchester City to finish their Anfield hoodoo.
Pep Guardiola‘s champions journey to Merseyside on Sunday for what guarantees to be a seismic showdown within the title race. Liverpool lead City by only one level on the prime of the desk, as the massive rivals discover themselves locked in one other struggle – together with Arsenal – to be topped Premier League winners.
But City make the brief journey down the East Lancs Road realizing their current document at Anfield makes for grim studying. Since Guardiola took cost of City in 2016 and made them the dominant pressure in English soccer, they’ve gained simply as soon as in eight makes an attempt there.
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That was again in 2021, when City surprised Liverpool with 4 targets within the second half to expire 4-1 winners. However, it was a recreation performed underneath covid restrictions, which means there was no crowd and hostile Anfield ambiance to cope with.
In common, Anfield has proved a really sad searching floor for Guardiola and his stars. The strain will likely be on them to make an announcement this weekend, as City look to take an enormous step in direction of occurring to win a historic fourth title on the bounce.
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(Image: AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
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And Akanji has backed City to place the previous behind them and seal an announcement win within the yard of their most fierce rivals. Akanji mentioned: “It will definitely be massive.
“The winner will go to the highest of the league. We understand how onerous it’s to play there, however we’ll go there and attempt to get the three factors like we at all times do.
“I don’t want to talk about the title race, but it would be a big win for us. We haven’t done the best there in the past – but why not change it this weekend?”
Anfield guarantees to be much more emotional than regular, with it being the final time Jurgen Klopp takes on Guardiola there earlier than standing down as Liverpool boss this summer time. But Akanji needs City to dam out the noise and give attention to their very own recreation.
(Image: REUTERS)
He mentioned: “I’ve only played there once – and we lost there 1-0. It’s a really good stadium, the atmosphere is great and the team is one of the best, so that’s what makes it difficult.
“But in the long run we simply give attention to us, even when the gang is pushing them. If we placed on the kind of efficiency we wish, then I feel we will win the sport.”
Liverpool have been without some key personnel in recent weeks, including talisman Mohamed Salah, and Akanji reckons it could be a good time to face them. He added: “Maybe, as a result of they’ve had accidents, however I feel some will likely be prepared for the weekend.
“And even though some won’t be fit, the ones who are will still give everything in the game. In the end it’s the 11 players on the pitch who’ll decide it.
“We need to convey our efficiency – and hopefully we will win there.”