Premier League 2018-19, Manchester City vs Liverpool: 3 tactical factors which could determine the fate of the match

3. Liverpool fullbacks cannot afford to go into overlaps too often

Raheem Sterling

Both the Liverpool full-backs, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, like to go into overlaps frequently. And the City wingers like Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Mahrez would try to exploit the space left behind by them.

Sterling has the tendency of going near the goal-line by dribbling past the opposition defenders and then deliver the vital cross to the likes of Sergio Aguero. He already has 10 goals and 7 assists for City this season.

Both Sane and Mahrez possess great pace and can destroy a defence within a few seconds.

The Liverpool full-backs would have to be on guard against such threats and stay in their own half as much as possible. Liverpool’s defensive midfielders should also be able to give covers to the overlapping full-backs as much as possible, and they cannot afford to allow the City wingers to have free sway inside their own half.