Premier League: “a burning battle” for the title between Manchester City and Liverpool

In the heart of winter, in the cold of Liverpool, the atmosphere is gloomy at the Reds.

The main rival in the title race in recent years, Manchester City, has a 14-point lead.

Even if Jürgen Klopp's men are then two games behind, the title is already folded, as Premier League specialists agree.

We imagine that the residents of Anfield only have the Champions League to save their season …

To discover

• Premier League fixtures and results

• Premier League standings

In mid-April, the mercury rose in the county of Merseyside.

The day after a successful match in the quarter-final first leg of C1 on the lawn of Benfica (3-1 victory), Liverpool still dreams of a new coronation in the most prestigious of European competitions.

But not only.

Since January 15, the Reds have chained ten consecutive victories in the league.

What to take back … 10 points to Skyblues, who have only played nine matches over the same period.

And to completely relaunch the title race at the dawn of the confrontation between the two teams this Sunday (5:30 p.m.).

Mutual respect between Klopp and Guardiola

“

,” Jürgen Klopp rewinded recently at a press conference.

It will be a constant battle, and we accept it

Pep Guardiola

On the other hand, this weekend, the German technician will have an influence on the result of the match.

Just like his counterpart, Pep Guardiola, to whom he has a certain admiration.

“

claimed Klopp

»

For his part, the Spanish technician is full of praise for his opponent either.

“

it, ”he also confided.

Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have real respect for each other.

MARTIN RICKETT / REUTERS

Behind these very cordial exchanges hides a fierce desire to win.

And not sure that one of the two teams does politeness to the other.

This is evidenced in particular by the premature exit of Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, in the 61st minute, during the quarter-final against Benfica on Wednesday, and the benching of Diogo Jota, yet in very good shape at the moment.

A way to preserve the line of attack of the Reds team and to make it clear that the most important match of the week was indeed that of Sunday against City.

For their part, the Citizens did not have the opportunity to turn, except the ball, against Atlético (1-0).

But the siege imposed on the Colchoneros (71% possession for City) will certainly not have tired Pep Guardiola's men unduly.

Liverpool lost the league lead in the first leg

In addition to this fierce fight for the title, the two English clubs will certainly want to take their revenge on the first leg (2-2).

On October 3, at Anfield, Reds and Skyblues went blow for blow and even a little more, when in the 72nd, Henderson made a big mistake on Bernardo Silva while managing to escape the second yellow card.

Behind, the splendid goal of Mohamed Salah had not helped the mood of Pep Guardiola, quite angry with the referee.

For its part, Liverpool will surely regret the equalizer ten minutes from the end of the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne.

That day, Liverpool had lost first place to Chelsea without ever recovering it.

Before, perhaps, the shock of Sunday.

Twists, contacts, crazy actions, these are the ingredients of this first leg and those that football lovers hope to find for this second leg.

With, this time, a winner to spice up this end of the championship a little more.