Liverpool vs Manchester City: Things to look out for in crucial Anfield game
One of the things City have not got right this season is how to replace Rodri in the number six role.
Kovacic, Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have all had a go.
“My gut feeling is, because of where their form is at, and with Liverpool flying at the moment, for once City might have to give them a bit of respect and try something a bit different on Sunday,” said Murphy.
“If Ruben Dias is fit to start, alongside maybe Nathan Ake, then I would be tempted to play [defender] Manuel Akanji in that midfield holding role, as John Stones has done before.
“I am not sure if Pep will do that, but maybe this time, his priority might not be about how City are going to make chances and score goals against this great Liverpool defence, because he trusts his players to do that.
“We should remember they are serial winners and we are talking about a team with some of the best players in the world, but one of the key factors to them having any success at Anfield is for them to be much better defensively than they have been recently.
“It could be damaging for City to go to Anfield with their usual system, where Rico Lewis is at right-back and drifts into midfield, which would leave their back three against Liverpool’s front three.”
Murphy thinks the visitors will start Kevin de Bruyne, who has recently returned from injury, and one of Gundogan or Silva – plus a more defensive-minded player like Akanji or Lewis in midfield.
“I would be really surprised if he decides to play, say, Gundogan and Silva in there on their own, with Phil Foden behind Erling Haaland again,” said the former England midfielder.
“Although it is great to have belief in yourself, when you are conceding goals like City are, you have to play the moment.”
Murphy said he is “certainly not trying to suggest that City should park the bus and not believe in themselves” – but did suggest two options for Guardiola.
“Liverpool play a front three, and they are very good – so City should play a four [at the back]. City are conceding a lot of goals, so maybe their back four should concentrate on stopping Liverpool’s front three,” he added.
“And then Liverpool’s midfield is very good at the moment, so maybe City should play three midfielders in there who are suited to that battle, rather than two midfielders and one forward.”
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