In what is easily the most interesting game of the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season, Pep Guardiola’s champions-elect Manchester City will travel to Anfield for the first leg of the QF on Wednesday. The Reds remain the only team to beat City in the Premier League but lost 5-0 at Etihad earlier in the season and will be desperate to take an advantage into the second leg.
It is just the second QF appearance for Manchester City in the Champions League while Liverpool have reached this stage for the first time in over nine years. Both teams have some impressive stars, who are entertaining the fans every week in the Premier League but it is time now for the English duo to take their rivalry to Europe. There are a number of interesting matchups all over the pitch that can decide the outcome of this game and here are three such key battles to watch out for in this tie:
Virgil van Dijk vs Gabriel Jesus:
The Dutch defender only joined Liverpool in January but is almost indispensable to Jurgen Klopp’s squad at the moment. He is easily the best defender for the Reds and will have to be at his best for his side to take anything from this game. He will be up against an exciting Gabriel Jesus, who is yet to lose a game for Manchester City. Van Dijk is strong in the air but the Brazilian provides a different kind of threat, which will surely test the former Southampton man, who is playing his first ever QF of the Champions League.
Leroy Sane vs Trent Alexandre-Arnold:
The Reds have made a number of changes to their backline recently but this season, the right-back position has been an issue. With Nathaniel Clyne out injured for most of the season, Joe Gomez and Alexandre-Arnold have been used in that role but both players have shown frailties, which will surely be tested by this Manchester City side. Gomez is out injured for this game and TAA will now be up against German winger Leroy Sane, who has got the better of almost every full-back in the league. This battle can go a long way in deciding the outcome of this game.
Mohamed Salah vs Danilo:
With Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy out injured, Danilo is expected to start at left back against Liverpool this week and he will have one of the toughest games this season. Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, who just cannot seem to stop scoring, will look to do the same against City and unless he is covered for and kept quiet, City have no chance of taking anything from this game.
