Liverpool holds a significant Premier League title ‘advantage’ over Man City as a reversal of an unwelcome April trend becomes clear
Elite-level sports are frequently determined by the tiniest of margins.
Jürgen Klopp and his coaching staff have been preoccupied with this since taking over at Anfield in October 2015.
Liverpool have tried it all, from bringing in throw-in coach Thomas Grnnemark to work with the likes of Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Andy Robertson, to lately inviting psychology experts Nuero11 to help enhance mental strength and concentration across the academy and the first team.
The choice to hire Nuero11 was vindicated last month when the Reds held their nerve to fire all eleven of their penalties past Chelsea in the League Cup final, defeating Thomas Tuchel’s side.
That’s because, after the international break, Liverpool will visit 18th-placed Watford at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
And, after Manchester City’s draw with Crystal Palace last time out, a win for the Reds would put them atop the Premier League standings for the first time since September.
How did this opportunity arise? Just hours later, City travel to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche’s Burnley, who are struggling to keep their Premier League position.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, the advantage of playing ahead of the Citizens — even if only by a few hours — appears to have benefited Klopp’s men in recent weeks, as they have just about managed to stay on their championship rivals’ coattails.
On February 19, when Guardiola’s players lost their first Premier League defeat since October, they hosted Antionio Conte and Tottenham Hotspur at 5:30 p.m.
Deep into stoppage time, a goal from Harry Kane proved to be the winner, sparking chaotic scenes across the red half of Merseyside, who were still in the city centre following their 3pm encounter with Norwich City, which concluded with Klopp’s men reducing the gap on City.
In the end, it was a rare opportunity for Liverpool to set the pace, with Man City enjoying a huge share of early kick-off timings in recent months. In April, the tendency is reversing slightly, although the advantage is still split.
Of course, both teams meet next weekend at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, April 10.
That means that neither side will be able to put mental pressure on their opponents that weekend.
The next time the two sides meet in the Premier League will be on the weekend of April 23/24, and it will be the Mancunians who have the opportunity to put pressure on the Reds when they face Watford 24 hours before the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Though, at the end of the month, Liverpool will have the final wildcard when they go to Newcastle for an early Saturday meeting against Eddie Howe’s side.
By that point — as it follows the termed “title-decider” at the Etihad — playing ahead of Manchester City might be worth its weight in gold as the season winds down.
In terms of remaining matchups, Liverpool still has to face Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wolves, in addition to the match against Manchester City.
Guardiola’s men, on the other hand, have a ‘easier’ run-in because, aside from the Reds, they only have to play West Ham out of the current top-seven.
However, Liverpool will joyfully grab the advantage provided by the April scheduling, and it is possible that they will use it to win the Premier League.
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Liverpool holds a significant Premier League title ‘advantage’ over Man City as a reversal of an unwelcome April trend becomes clear
