Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has delivered his verdict on Liverpool and their threat to Manchester City this season.
Pique – who has played under current City boss Pep Guardiola at the Camp Nou, where he won a number a trophies – believes that the Reds’ strength is down to the fact that Jurgen Klopp sets up his team differently to Guardiola.
He also weighed in on Liverpool’s title chances this season, and predicted that City will find it challenging having a team like Klopp’s men bidding to usurp them as Premier League champions.
“I think Jurgen is doing a great job at Liverpool. Because the style of play is the opposite of Guardiola. They really like to counter-attack and have really quick players up front and score goals with Salah, Firmino and Mane,” he said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“It will be challenging for Man City, because Liverpool have a great team and I think it will be quite exciting. I think City are a little bit favourites, but you never know. (In the) Premier League, anything can happen.”
OPINION
Liverpool and Manchester City’s squads both undoubtedly have undeniable quality, but Pique has hit the nail on the head when analysing the Reds’ style of play. Everyone knows the type of threat that both teams can pose, but when you actually play each one, they always offer something different. Liverpool’s attack are lethal at the best of times, and Pique has pointed out that their different style of play is why they are closely challenging City for the title. Having won multiple titles himself, Pique knows what it takes, so fans should not take his analysis too lightly. However, Liverpool beat City three times last season, which makes it clear that they are superior to them in more ways than one. Based on that, the title is up for the taking for both teams – and as the Spain international pointed out, “anything can happen” in the Premier League.
