The Anfield club’s rivalry with Manchester City may not be fully fledged but it has become a byword for entertainment
Two giant spectaculars are taking place in Liverpool this weekend, one courtesy of the French street theatre company Royal de Luxe and the other thanks to the emergence of Jürgen Klopp’s team as a formidable obstruction in the way of Manchester City’s vast ambition. Only the former’s route around the city has been publicised, however, as Merseyside Police seek to avoid the unsavoury scenes that greeted the champions’ arrival at Anfield in April. A repeat of what both clubs delivered on the pitch last season will be embraced by those seeking a new Premier League rivalry.
Liverpool versus Manchester City does not have the history, the animosity – even accounting for a damaged City coach – or the decisive influence on silverware to be ranked among the true rivalries of the Premier League era. Not yet, anyway. “Bollocks,” was Klopp’s response when the suggestion was put to him on Friday. But the potential exists for one to take root. Anfield staged the finest Premier League game of last season when Pep Guardiola’s side suffered their first defeat in 23 league games in January, though not without a fight. Sunday provides the most eagerly anticipated contest of this campaign with the teams boasting identical unbeaten records and the two managers confident their squads have improved.
Written by Andy Hunter
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/05/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-premier-league-manchester-city under the title “Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool ready for Premier League’s greatest spectacle”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
