I couldn’t believe what I was watching last week...
After the first 10 minutes of Manchester City effortlessly knocking the ball around, Liverpool scored and went on to crush a visibly-shocked Pep Guardiola and company.
For all of us who have been resigned to knowing that our teams are nowhere near City, it was great to have hope injected back into the Premier League for next season.
They are beatable after all and the Scousers showed everyone how to do it.
Much like Chelsea’s second season under Antonio Conte, where their playing system has been exploited tactically, City are vulnerable to quality sides who go at them toe-to-toe.
Since the Sky Blue juggernaut started building momentum, most have decided to play cautiously against them, defending in numbers and settling for a striker across the halfway line for the faint chance of a counter.
A PAINFUL WEEK: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Photo: PETER POWELL/EPA
This has simply encouraged Pep to concentrate on his set of skilful midgets playing the one-touch game.
But Jurgen Klopp, balls to the wall, following the initial settling-in period, was relentless in his instruction to hit them in every area of the pitch.
It felt like every second ball fell to the Reds, it was a high-octane performance which paid huge dividends. Hard to see City getting back into this one, especially without an away goal.
So yeah, great job and more than happy to see the w***ers knocked down a notch or two!
But! It was just the start of a terrible few days for the Citizens
Yes, they’ve pissed the league and will take it before the final Sunday, but losing to the red side of Manchester on what could have been the ultimate victory stage must have really hurt, especially after banging two in the first half.
What is it with United?
A couple of weeks ago they were slaughtering Liverpool for 45 minutes and came out in the second half like lost children.
On Saturday, City were well in command before Jose’s boys came back in the second half, resurrected.
It was a brilliant fight back, largely orchestrated by Paul Pogba.
DOUBLE DELIGHT: Manchester United ace Paul Pogba. Photo: NIGEL RODDIS/EPA
I keep telling y’all: Don’t write the big man off. He’s been patchy this season. But when he’s on, he’s on fire.
With a bit more consistency, he’s the type of player any manager in the world would want to build a team around.
As much as I can’t stand United, I must admit, I was happy to see them strike another blow on (could it be?) a City side that has become a bit complacent given the easy success they’ve created all season.
It’s a huge psychological dent regardless of the “Champions of England” status they’ll carry next season.
As a Chelsea fan, I know all too well how a great season can disintegrate within a few April fixtures.
Just a few weeks ago they were touted to: go through the season unbeaten, win the quadruple, win the treble, then the double they were also gonna win the Champions League and secure the Premier League against United.
Unfortunately for them, as with the line in their Blue Moon anthem “you saw me standing alone”, looks like there’ll just be a single trophy in their cabinet after all the hype this season!