Nigel de Jong stated that Fabinho made it ‘too easy’ for Kevin de Bruyne to open the scoring during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions (10/04/22 at 6:40 pm).
The ex-Man City midfielder added that Fabinho simply couldn’t allow de Bruyne to have an effort at goal on the edge of the box, which ended up in the back of the net, although, he did admit the deflection provided a bit of ‘luck’.
After five minutes of yesterday’s enthralling Premier League title encounter, Man City would have felt the first real grip on the race to become champions of England.
But Liverpool, as they have done on many occasions, just continued to throw punches back, even when the home side took the lead for a second time, this time through Gabriel Jesus just before the break.
Nonetheless, given that de Jong would have deployed the defensive role Liverpool’s £44 million man (Sky Sports) was playing yesterday during his playing days, this is what he made of Fabinho’s effort towards de Bruyne.
“It was a lucky deflection, I must admit,” said de Jong. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck when you shoot from outside of the box.
“Fabinho was complaining here, not looking at Kevin de Bruyne. But this is too easy, as a defensive midfielder this can’t happen.
“You have to make sure he can’t pass you on the edge of the box. Of course, sometimes you need a little bit of luck, it was a deflection and Man City were 1-0 up, deserved and they were the better team for the first 60 minutes.”
Both Premier League games this season couldn’t separate either Liverpool or Man City, but the FA Cup will this Saturday.
Their two games have produced eight goals, and in truth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if all of it is rolled into one at Wembley.
Whilst the big pressure is still there, it could be argued there is more in the Premier League than the FA Cup itself, even if it is a semi-final.
Plus, knockout games usually produce more front foot action, not forgetting this game could also go to extra time.
So, don’t be surprised if this ends up to be the greatest 0-0 the game has ever seen this weekend.
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