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Liverpool’s plans ahead of the match against Manchester City showed that there was one star in particular to look after.
Kevin de Bruyne, a Liverpool fan as a boy who idolized Michael Owen as a child, was the man most Reds fans would have feared while the match unfolded at Etihad Stadium, but his impact did not materialize. revealed as decisive as it could have done. at the end.
Instead, the Liverpool midfield, containing only Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, was able to cope – and not for the first time – with the highly talented offensive threat, as far as reasonably can be expected.
On the Analyzing Anfield podcast, Josh Williams said: “De Bruyne has only had 48 touches in the game. He has played 90 minutes 53 times in the Premier League and has placed fewer than 48 touches only once.
Listen to the full Analyzing Anfield podcast HERE
“Since 2017 and of those 53 games, the lowest by touches was when City won 4-0, when they scored 39, even though City completely dominated that.
“The penultimate is Sunday’s game and there are a few more involving Liverpool too – Liverpool generally do well to keep their impact lower than usual.
“As for Klopp’s game plan when he faces Pep Guardiola, he always seems to focus on stopping De Bruyne.”
What Liverpool have done to counter De Bruyne’s influence on the game in general – by preventing him from shooting on goal, passing accuracy of just 75% and three chances of any kind created – underlines the influence that Henderson and Wijnaldum have had.
De Bruyne moved into his favorite right position to deliver the cross which led Joe Gomez to concede the penalty which the Belgian put to the side of the target.
But that was the only time in the game that he managed to get into the area of the pitch from which he is so often devastating with any weather and space to operate.
Gabriel Jesus’ goal came from a De Bruyne pass, but that was a quality moment based on the Brazilian’s turn inside the box more than a reflection on a piece of City number 17 magic.
Even in De Bruyne’s penalty, Liverpool prevailed.
Williams added: “Alisson was really bold and had safe hands – he didn’t let anything go. And it could be argued that because of the goalkeeper he is, and how he’s playing, he had an influence on De Bruyne. For the wrong penalty.
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“De Bruyne knows he has got to put it in a corner [otherwise the excellent Alisson will make a save] and he goes too heavy on it. “
The former Belgian Chelsea star is clearly one of the Premier League’s best players, but Liverpool have had the upper hand in their games against him so far.
Klopp’s next plan to play for City will undoubtedly revolve around De Bruyne once again given how good the midfielder is, but the fact that Liverpool have faced so admirably up to this point with him shows just how strong the midfielder is. own midfield area.
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