Even though he would have preferred to be representing Norway at the World Cup
Erling Haaland must have enjoyed the last six weeks because he has had a welcome break from his every move being scrutinized. He has two motivations for breaking Liverpool FC’s duck for Man City. Haaland can rise to the challenge posed by Alvarez. Haaland is expected to lead Manchester City’s line against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, where he hopes to score his first goal against Jurgen Klopp’s sky blue outfit.
He scored 23 goals in 18 City games after going scoreless against Liverpool in the Community Shield, which included a remarkable six-yard miss. However, he did not score in City’s Premier League defeat at Anfield in October. As City attempts to get back into their rhythm as quickly as possible following the World Cup, putting an end to that two-game streak against Liverpool on Wednesday would be well received.
Haaland is in an unfamiliar position of having to compete for his place, as Julian Alvarez is still basking in his status as World Champion after scoring four goals in Qatar. Alvarez must be in the running to start when he returns to the Etihad because he has seven goals and three assists in his last eight starts for club and country. Haaland may be able to hold off the World Cup winner who is ready to replace him if he can return to scoring form in the next three games before Alvarez returns.
City and Liverpool have wisely come together during the break
eyes on the field and ears on the crowd, to try to end their toxic rivalry, especially after a series of unacceptable incidents in their October match at Anfield. With a larger Liverpool crowd expected to provide a ferocious atmosphere, both teams will hope that their appeals to fans to help police themselves prevent sick chants from the stands.
Even though it can be difficult to remain composed at times, Guardiola acknowledged that he and Jurgen Klopp are responsible for controlling their emotions while on the touchline. Therefore, if the hard work done behind the scenes is to pay off, both managers may need to behave like the fans at the Etihad Stadium.
The last shot at Gomez?
Sergio Gomez should be eligible to start against Liverpool after a six-week rest and two weeks of training with City coaches. He did not have any senior full-backs to share the training field with. Gomez appeared to be way down the pecking order after a few shaky performances prior to the World Cup, and Guardiola preferred Nathan Ake over Gomez as an auxiliary full-back.
So on the off chance that he is given a beginning versus Liverpool, against Mo Salah or Diogo Jota, it will be a trial of the amount he has required in throughout recent weeks. His chances of seeing much playing time for the remainder of the season appear slim in the event that City lose and Chelsea advance to the FA Cup third round.
De Bruyne and Gundogan’s point to prove After enduring challenging World Cups and returning home following the group stages
Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan have had additional time to rest in preparation for the holiday schedule. City will undoubtedly benefit from that, as both teams appeared to have a point to prove in the friendly victory over Girona last weekend.
City’s improvised lineup will improve and their chances of reaching the quarterfinals will increase if they have the same drive against Liverpool. Despite the fact that both have now participated in their final World Cup, they can continue to win awards with City, and the Carabao Cup has provided the Blues with a lot in recent years. Neither midfielder would grumble assuming that they stayed on target for another champ’s decoration.
Despite the fact that this matchup is against Liverpool, City still has five points over Arsenal in the Premier League. In the first six weeks of 2023, City will play twice against Chelsea and Tottenham, away against Manchester United and Arsenal, play three potential Carabao Cup games, and play another potential FA Cup match. This is just the beginning of an intense new year’s schedule.
For that run, Guardiola will need his entire team, and he will want the players to quickly regain their rhythm. Put in a competitive performance against Liverpool to prepare for the Christmas break is the best way to accomplish that. A perfect start to a very difficult run would be a first victory over Klopp’s team in six meetings.