24th January 2019 – My poor, poor heart.
Watching Liverpool edge out a dangerous Crystal Palace side was a grim
experience, as the season begins to grow painfully nerve-racking. Maybe it’s
because us Reds supporters want this one so much compared to if we’d won
three Premier League titles already - whatever it is, every match feels
enormous. The Reds showed yet more resilience to grind their way to three
points - something that has increasingly come to the fore of late.
It’s not always pretty at the moment, but there is belief running
through Liverpool’s veins and they keep disappointing those desperate to see
them drop points. Man City, meanwhile, enjoyed another one of those victories
that is barely worth watching if you are a rival fan.
That’s a huge compliment, of course, with Huddersfield’s chances of
winning about as good as Danny Dyer’s hopes of one day scooping an Oscar for
his role as William Shakespeare. When City get the bit between their teeth,
you virtually know the result against a non-top-six before it even kick-offs.
It’s that one-sided. Barring a first-half lull, when Pep Guardiola started to
cut an unhappy figure, it was plain sailing at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Watching the match unfold, the thing that suddenly jolted me from my
slumber was the sight of David Silva coming on in the second-half. Then
Bernardo Silva. City were absolutely cruising to victory and they had done it
without two genuinely world-class creative footballers on the pitch.
John Stones was also an unused substitute, as was Gabriel Jesus, who I
thought might actually be a bit crap for a while, but have since changed my
opinion of. This ridiculous squad depth is what still gives City the edge
over Liverpool, in my opinion, as the business end of the season arrives and
the pressure becomes even more intense.
Injuries are likely to play a big part in who eventually comes out on
top, as is fatigue, and Guardiola’s men look more likely to handle the former
better. The champions feel less likely to be damaged by losing an important
individual during the run-in. Fernandinho is the one exception, as proven by
City’s mediocre record when he doesn’t play, but they’re still not exactly
hapless without him.
They have comfortably made do without Kevin De Bruyne for fair chunk
of the campaign - a player I personally rate as the best in the league when
fit and in-form - which sums it up. David Silva is a special footballer but
even he isn’t indispensable, while there is a lingering feeling that
Guardiola wouldn’t be heartbroken if he lost Sergio Aguero for a time,
despite his incredible goal-scoring record.
Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez are all influential wide
men, but the team wouldn’t fall apart if one was missing. The same applies at
the back, where even the immaculate Aymeric Laporte is nowhere near as vital
as Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk is the perfect example of Liverpool’s comparative lack of
options, even though the squad is undoubtedly the strongest it has been in
years. An injury to him has the potential to derail the Reds’ entire season.
Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are a million miles below the towering Dutchman’s
level, while Joe Gomez is a fantastic young talent, but one who is still
learning his trade. The thought of Simon Mignolet and Alberto Moreno having
to come in for Alisson and Andy Robertson is a terrifying thought, even
though both are not as bad as many keyboard warriors would have you believe.
Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are not suitable back-ups in attack,
should one of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane of Mo Salah be out, and neither
will be at the club next season. While Liverpool’s biggest worry will be
injuries, City’s will be fatigue.
I’m firmly of the opinion that Guardiola went all out to essentially
win the Premier League by Christmas again, as he managed so emphatically last
season. That hasn’t occurred this time around, however, and it will be
interesting to see how much is left in the tank come the spring.
They are still in all four competitions, and while weaker lineups will
likely be fielded in some of them, there is still the mental side of having
to travel and remain switched on regularly, rather than head off to Dubai,
like Liverpool have this week.
I couldn’t care less that the Reds are out of both domestic cup
competitions, which is a sad indictment of what they have become in many
ways. Frankly, given the obsession surrounding finally winning a league title
after 29 years, I really don’t mind if Bayern Munich knock us out of the
Champions League as well.
It would no doubt hurt at the time, particularly in comparison to the
League Cup and FA Cup losses to Chelsea and Wolves, but there are bigger fish
to fry in 2018/19. Liverpool can have no excuses about tiredness in the
run-in, with players refreshed after this little mid-season break and matches
not coming too thick and fast. It could end up being a straight fight between
whether City’s depth or Liverpool’s superior fitness prevails, with luck set
to play a part, as it always does in a title race.
Up next for Liverpool is Leicester at home - another awkward opponent
like Palace - while City head to struggling Newcastle. You would expect three
points apiece, but equally, it isn’t unthinkable to envisage Jamie Vardy
snatching a late equaliser or Rafa Benitez doing his former club an almighty
favour.
Here we go again……
– Henry Jackson
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