Semifinals – Dalglish targeting cup
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
Both clubs are going through more or less similar tough patches of form. Liverpool’s has reflected negatively on the league and their ambition to secure a Champions League place for next season. City’s has been limited to the cups and now embark on a journey to Anfield in order to try and reverse the home defeat suffered in the first leg.
Liverpool – Manchester City
Whether it was voluntary or not Liverpool’s single win in the last six Premier League games have directed their focus onto cup success this year. There was a lot of hope for them to get back challenging for the maximum honour in English football as of this season but they have been hit hard with the injury to Gerrard and the lengthy suspension for Suarez. The two have not played together for a very long time now and only when the fans are able to sit down and enjoy that kind of show will they have more confidence in what this Reds’ side is all about.
Speaking about lengthy suspensions Balotelli has to come to mind. An ironic applause should first of all go to Howard Webb. A referee who had been handed responsibility for the last World Cup final, and raising huge doubts even there after closing an eye on De Jong’s killer challenge with the full set of studs being planted into the opponent’s chest. Luckily Spain won that final and it avoided a lot more negative publicity for the English referee.
He was at it again, once more favouring a City player with his short sightedness. Balotelli is one to keep a close eye on all the time. He has made that clear enough in the short spell he has had in the Premier League and be it the Italian Serie A or a European cup fixture he has never kept back from disrespectful challenges that could harm his opponents. The boot on Scott Parker’s face could have been much worse. Studs in the face could cost an eye and he certainly was not thinking about that when he voluntarily lunged his foot deep into where he knew Parker’s head was.
The English FA is rumoured to be lining up a four-match ban but in keeping in line with what they handed out to Suarez for racist remarks Balotelli’s should be at least a 15-match ban. Exaggerated perhaps but so was Suarez’s. And we are talking about a player who had already been charged with misconduct before.
A curious fact is how the majority of Italian media is advocating for Balotelli’s challenge being involuntary. Pathetic nationalism. But none other than the player’s manager, Raiola, has stooped low enough to deserve the honour of worst of the match. He is threatening to table offers for the player’s transfer should he not be protected by the English FA and referees. That’s right, Raiola, the Premier League needs Balotelli so much. The system would surely crumble without his bad boy antics. Perhaps he has forgotten Inter were so eager to sell they gave him away cheaply after not even Mourinho could manage to handle his ridiculously unbearable character. And we are talking about a manager who after many years got a haphazard and confused club like Inter settled down and focused on clinching a treble unprecedented in Italian football history.
Well, hoping by the time the match is played Super Mario gets his deserved lengthy spell on the sidelines, back to the match we should note how the Italian may be absent here. Curiously enough a touch and go situation like that which involved Suarez ahead of this same fixture, though in the Premier League, a few weeks ago. Should no judgment be passed yet Balotelli will definitely be in the starting line-up since for the upcoming games he will very probably be unavailable.
Mancini’s advantage in this match is that, unlike Liverpool, he has no fixture scheduled for next weekend. There are FA Cup games lined up and City have already been eliminated by United, which are also Liverpool’s next opponents for the upcoming weekend in that competition. Therefore Silva and Aguero, alongside Nasri, may not be rested at all. They could have plenty of time to recover when they visit Liverpool again next week to play Everton.
This makes City a dangerous side in attack. With Silva and Aguero Yaya Toure’s absence is felt much less. That of Kompany and Kolo Toure can not be covered for by Savic though. He handed Tottenham a lifeline back into the game with his back headed mistake. At the back City are weaker without the leadership of Kompany.
Liverpool, therefore have a chance to get a few goals. But how true can that statement be after we have seen them fail so many chances to get three points due to the weak attacking mentality they take to the field with? Dalglish has been experimenting way too much with formations that clutter up the midfield. There has been little faith placed in Carroll. Kuyt has never really been a sharp shooter but more of a hard working assistman. With Suarez out there should have been more of Carroll on the pitch.
Verdict: Liverpool 0:0
The one-goal advantage should not hold Liverpool back. Their efficacy in front of goal will depend a lot of whether Carroll will be starting. They need him to finish the ball off and with a winger like Downing and excellent assitmen like Gerrard and Kuyt it would only be more waste of time for the Reds if Dalglish does not understand that he cannot try to emulate Barcelona by not lining up a striker. Spain is one thing. The Premier League is another. I am going for him realizing this and therefore Liverpool avoiding defeat.
24.01.2012, 23:51 CET
In the first leg and when they met in the Premier League, at Anfield Liverpool always played better than City.
City's away form is overestimated. Bar the games at White Hart Lane and at Old Trafford (each of which have their reasons for such big scores) City won only four other games - all of them against teams currently placed from the 16th place downwards.
Those four include the very recent 0-1 at Wigan where everyone should have fresh in mind the difficulty evidenced by Mancini's team to overcome the bottom placed club in the league. There are also two 2-3 scores against Bolton and QPR. Those with a good memory will remember City struggling in both.
They also lost against the in-form clubs in the Champions League away from home - Bayern Munich and Napoli.
Anything is possible but I would not say there aren't serious indications at a very good advantage for Liverpool in this match. Much higher than bookies are rating it.
Liverpool on the DNB are available at odds close to 2.00. Out of proportion in my opinion, especially when looking closely at their away form and knowing how City have fared so far in cup games.
I'll be walking with the Reds this time Joe.
25.01.2012, 15:38 CET
Really nice Article david,A Wembley final would give Liverpool a 100% satisfaction, but for City, say 80%. I just want do point out that the Liverpool motivation for tonight's game cannot be beaten. The fact that Man City are a stronger team is of course a factor that you cannot dismiss and I cannot picture a more open game than this semi final.. City know that they have the capacity to beat Liverpool away from home, but there is no limit to what Liverpool can achieve, when they are having one of those great midweek nights at Anfield.And one other thing lverpool seems to be more relax away from home this season..Mancini vs Dalglish? Always Mancini for me!!but a draw result is so expected I should say
25.01.2012, 19:25 CET
Thanks masterOhell. Yes many are expecting a draw. It might be so but I think it will be the entertaining kind, if it is a draw.
I still think City can really suffer the Reds at Anfield despite being a better side. I haven't seen City's defence as compact without their leader Kompany.
I agree that Liverpool's commitment can be rated higher than that of City. They are dying for some silverware. After all they are not Arsenal and cannot stay starved for that long.
Mancini would be my choice too but at Anfield Dalglish has rarely let down the fans on the big nights. They can be relied upon in such occasions in my view and am surprised how many are tipping City to just topple Liverpool over tonight.
25.01.2012, 22:44 CET
Well done to all of you that went for a draw between Liverpool and Man City. You were on the right track david, Liverpool just can't win nor lose at home, but just holding to get into the final. For those of you going to the final, i'll see you there and of course await anxiously for david's league cup final preview.
Joe
25.01.2012, 23:09 CET
Thanks Joe. I'll be watching out for you on tv. Should be a nice shiny trophy for the Reds.
Hopefully there will be Suarez. I haven't liked Dalglish approaching games too defensively lately. Carroll should play instead of Kuyt in attack otherwise they will keep drawing against sides they should be beating - Bolton, Stoke, Blackburn...
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24.01.2012, 20:09 CET
Good Article and I'm more with David on this. A draw is what Liverpool is been good at all season at Anfield and why whould they start being anything different. Ok, maybe you will say Gerrard however Liverpool always makes life tough for themselves so a draw would be the best solution for them. They can't win nor lose, Dalglish is frustrate but a ticket to wembley for a draw might just be a good result afterall.