Joleon Lescott column: Wounded Reds will still be out for City’s blood

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Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday

Liverpool have had their problems this season but they will still look to go toe-to-toe with champions Manchester City.

It’s the only way Jurgen Klopp’s men know and a more cautious approach at Anfield is out of the question — despite their worst start to a Premier League campaign under the German.

This has been the game to watch in the top flight in recent years due to the quality of both sides and I believe Sunday will be no different.

The Reds need a win. They’re already 13 points behind City and 14 adrift of league leaders Arsenal, so they need to start bridging that gap.

The title is out of the question. There’s already a five-win difference between Liverpool and City, so a top-four place is more realistic now.

Whether that attacking approach pays off for Liverpool remains to be seen. It may allow City’s ruthless stars to exploit them on the counter-attack.

Erling Haaland and Co are in sensational form but manager Pep Guardiola will respect the Reds. 

Despite losing against Arsenal, Liverpool caused problems going forward. Couple that with their 7-1 win at Rangers on Wednesday and they are still undoubtedly a threat.

Pep will be well aware of Liverpool’s strengths ahead and, as he often does, will adjust his tactics accordingly.

Salah missing Mane

Mohamed Salah has not looked the same player since Sadio Mane left Liverpool

I don’t think Liverpool’s Premier League struggles are down to one thing. If it was, Klopp would easily rectify it.

There’s bound to be plenty of mental fatigue from last season, while their luck with injuries hasn’t helped. There are plenty of teams getting stronger, too.

I saidat the start of the season that Sadio Mane would be a big loss — but I think Liverpool have missed the Senegal international even more than expected.

His intensity in and out of possession was crazy. He gave the opposition the fear factor in both sides of the game.

Players knew he would close you down at such a pace and that meant you couldn’t make a mistake or hesitate. That’s maybe a reason why we’ve seen a drop off in intensity by Liverpool.

That is before you mention the way he could destroy teams with his agility and finishing.

With Mohamed Salah, you recognise exactly what he brings when he’s on the ball. His goalscoring numbers last season were phenomenal.

But off the ball, I don’t believe the Egyptian is as effective at pressing as Mane was for the Reds.

Couple that with the fact Salah is not achieving those same numbers this season and there is added pressure on him to perform — though his hat-trick at Ibrox will have done him the world of good.

Mohamed Salah got back among the goals with a hat-trick at Rangers

Let’s have a look at my predictions for the Premier League weekend.

Joleon Lescott’s Premier League Matchday 11 predictions

Brentford vs Brighton (Friday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

An intriguing game to kick off the weekend’s action!

Brentford will be determined to bounce back from their 5-1 defeat at Newcastle last weekend, as will Brighton who were edged out by Tottenham in Roberto De Zerbi’s first home game.

I don’t have any real explanation for this but my gut is saying the home side will come out on top.

Source: Livescore

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