Martin Keown has noted in his Daily Mail column that ‘Liverpool would love’ to repeat the way Jurgen Klopp’s side exposed Rodri during their draw with Manchester City in October.
The Anfield natives make the trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a potentially Premier League title-deciding encounter. Liverpool trail Manchester City by just one point ahead of meeting this week, and will arrive brimming with confidence with a run of 10-straight wins.
Without goals from Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne on Merseyside, the Reds would be the side in the ascendency. Foden drew Pep Guardiola’s men level after Sadio Mane broke the deadlock during the October encounter. De Bruyne then struck out Mohamed Salah’s goal.
Keown has now reflected on how Liverpool exposed Rodri in the build-up to Mane’s effort against Manchester City at Anfield. The Reds drew the £63m former Atletico Madrid star from his position protecting Guardiola’s defence, leaving Mane to run from Kyle Walker.
“In the build-up to Liverpool’s opener from Mane in the 2-2 draw, Rodri had been pulled out of position in front of the City back line,” Keown noted.
“Once Salah breezed by [Joao] Cancelo, City were exposed and Mane made sure he ran into the channel away from the rapid Walker. Liverpool would love to recreate this situation where Rodri is dragged away from the middle and Salah is one-v-one with Cancelo.”
Martin Keown feels ‘Liverpool would love’ to expose Rodri again in Man City trip
Rodri is a mainstay of Guardiola’s side with 25 Premier League appearances protecting the Manchester City defence so far this season ahead of facing Liverpool with Mane and Salah. He has also offered three goals and one assist, while picking up five yellow cards to date.
The Spaniard last earned a caution on New Years’ Day as the Citizens beat Arsenal 2-1 after coming from behind. City have since played Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United with Rodri playing the full 90 minutes. So, he will start on Sunday as long as he is fit.
Klopp, then, may attempt to – as Keown predicts – expose Rodri again and create chances for Liverpool to exploit Manchester City. A route than could, in turn, return another title.
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