Liverpool defender Joel Matip has revealed that the squad will not be coming together to watch Manchester City’s midweek clash with Cardiff City as the title race heats up.
The Reds retook their place at the top of the Premier League with their late win over Tottenham on Sunday, knowing that Pep Guardiola’s men, who sit two points behind with a game in hand, could retake top spot with victory over the Bluebirds.
However, despite it being a potentially crucial fixture in the title hunt, Matip admitted the focus remains solely on what Liverpool can do and as such the squad would not be keeping an eye on the City result as a group.
Asked if the Liverpool squad would be watching their rivals’ clash together, he fascinatingly told Sky Sports: “No, I think not. We can only concentrate on the things that we can decide. We cannot change how they will play, we focus on our way and our games.”
Opinion
We have all seen the videos of footballers watching rival games together when it impacts them and their team but it seems as though the Anfield stars will be doing their own thing on Wednesday night. As Matip says, there is no point watching right now as there is nothing to be decided regardless of whether City win or lose. This clash will put Guardiola’s men onto the same number of games played as the Reds and then Liverpool’s fate this season will be in their own hands. Will Matip’s teammates be keeping a close eye on the result? You know they will be – it is human nature to be competitive and with the title race so tight at the top, they will not be able to look away. However, for now at least, the squad do not feel the need to come together and see whether City will retake their place at the top. That could well change in the coming weeks.
