Liverpool v Manchester City: Ronny Goodlass talks tactics

May 3 2008

MANCHESTER City need to win to keep their outside chances of nicking a place in Europe flickering.

But manager Sven Goran-Erikkson will be wary of going gun-ho against the wounded tiger of Liverpool.

Rafael Benitez’s side will want to end the home campaign on a high with a few goals against the visitors.

Defence

JOE HART has started to fulfil the potential that led City to bring him from Shrewsbury in May 2006.

He is becoming more assured with every game, shows good handling skills and is an excellent shot-stopper who has established himself with the England under-21s.

The return of Richard Dunne after injury would be a big plus for City, who have missed both him and Micah Richards when they have been out this season. Three-times City’s player of the year, Dunne is a huge presence in the side, organising the back-line and leading by example as a defender who is prepared to put his body on the line.

Dunne’s return means Michael Ball can move to left-back, where his lack of height is not such an issue. When playing out wide, Ball links well with Martin Petrov to give City attacking impetus.

Blumer Elano arrived at City as an attacking midfielder, but injury problems have seen him called into action at right-back.

A tricky customer, he has quick feet and is a clever passer of the ball, but is no defender. The likes of Ryan Babel would put him under a lot of pressure.

Vedran Corluka is a versatile defender having started at right-back, but also filling in at centre half.

A committed defender, who as part of the Croatia team that kept England out of Euro 2008, but he is not the quickest, which is another area for Liverpool to potentially exploit.

Midfield

STEPHEN IRELAND will plough down the right-hand flank and keep the front players supplied with a stream of good crosses.

A busy player, who works hard for the team, he is dangerous in the last third with potential for goals. Michael Johnson is a product of the City Youth Academy and is quickly earning a big reputation in the game. He has been compared with Colin Bell and there is no higher compliment for a City midfielder. A real crowd pleaser who likes to run at the opposition and get his tackles in.

Petrov arrived in 2007 from Atletico Madrid and had a sensational start. Full-backs really struggled to handle his trickery. Now starting to rediscover that kind of form. Sun Jihai is City’s player for all occasions, having helped out across the back four and midfleld. Quick and tenacious.

Attack

BENJANI endeared himself to the City fans with a goal against Manchester United on his debut in a 2-1 win.

Strong and quick with good movement and a cool finisher, he will work the channels all game which will allow his manager to go with a five-man midfield should he so wish. Darius Vassell, who started his career at Aston Villa before moving to City in 2005, has had his injury problems but is still quick and a great team player.

Dangerman

BENJANI MWARUWARI – having scored against Liverpool at Anfield for Portsmouth earlier in the season, his good form makes him a threat to repeat the feat.

Overall verdict

AFTER the disappointment of the Chelsea result, Liverpool will bow out with a flourish in front of their own fans.