By Augustine Akhilomen
Two of England most in-form teams in Europe will come at loggerheads as Liverpool host Manchester City in the quarter-final first leg of the prestigious UEFA Champions League at Anfield today (Wednesday).
Having met in the Premier League where the Citizens smashed five past the Reds at Etihad Stadium, the reverse fixture was in favour of the Reds as they won 4-3 at Anfield.
Tonight’s fixture will be the first time that both teams will meet at the European competition and it gives them an opportunity to make it to the semi-final stages of the competition.
This tasty Champions League quarter-final tie pits together the Premier League’s two highest
scorers, netting a combined 163 times between them so far this season, in what should be a
classic showdown.
Just six losses in 45 matches overall this season show just how tough to beat Liverpool have
been, though, particularly at Anfield where that record reads played 23 and lost just one. In all
but three of those matches have Jurgen Klopp’s men scored; only twice in their last 19 overall have they failed to do so.
Key to the Merseyside outfit’s success in 2017-18 has been the form of forward trio Mohamed
Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino – described as “almost unstoppable” by opposition
boss Pep Guardiola – boasting of 19 goals between them in this competition alone.
On the other hand, Pep Guardiola will be banking on the services of Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sané, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to shoulder the goalscoring responsibilities against Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool’s form
Recent form in Champions League: WWDWWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLWW
Man City’s form
Recent form in Champions League: WWWLWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWW
