Manchester City take on Liverpool at Anfield Stadium hoping to end a 17 game run without victory against the Reds.
The Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie through up a surprise as far as Pep Guardiola’s selection was concerned.
Ilkay Gundogan replaced Raheem Sterling as the only change made to the starting lineup.
The decision sparked a social media storm with fans wondering what his reasons were.
So we got Gundogan in for Sterling, what’s Pep up to? pic.twitter.com/fWHduW0yYe
— Mpho (@Mpho_Rach) April 4, 2018
Suspected Sterling would miss out – not for Gundogan though pic.twitter.com/UzoMNUA0Ww
— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) April 4, 2018
If we can't control a midfield of Henderson, Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain with Ferna, Silva, KDB and Gundogan all playing then we don't really deserve to go through tbh anyway.
— Esteemed Kompany (@StevenMcinerney) April 4, 2018
Are city playing Gundogan in a false 9? Can't work it out
— Nathan (@ThatEpicNathan) April 4, 2018
Is Pep being cautious?
Gundogan for Sterling. That’s as defensive a line up as you’ll ever see from Pep.
— Tim Smallbone (@TimSmallbone) April 4, 2018
Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva and KDB all starting. Unreal midfield. If we don't get smashed today it'll be great.
— Devesh (@Naby_SZN) April 4, 2018
The last time Guardiola tried a four-man midfield it did not work out so well.
The addition of a fourth midfielder hasn’t usually worked for Guardiola at City so far.
They tried to play it in the League Cup final and Gundogan’s inability to deal with constant pressing lead to a very poor half for them.
— ™ (@Tacticomotion_) April 4, 2018
Fernandinho AND Gundogan AND David Silva AND De Bruyne. The last time City started like that – the League Cup final – was City's worst first half for months!
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) April 4, 2018
Could it end up working in their favor?
Liverpool’s midfield gonna get ripped tonight imo, Henderson, Ox and Milner against City’s midfield.
Liverpool 1-3 City
Scorers:
Firmino
Sane Gundogan Jesus— Anthony Martial (@EliteMartiaI) April 4, 2018
Did Pep want to shield Sterling from a hostile away crowd?
Twitter: tactical discussion of what Guardiola is trying to do by bringing in Gundogan as an extra midfielder and alter the shape
BT Sport: “the only reason Sterling isn’t playing is Anfield”— Grace (@GemOfAmara) April 4, 2018
Ok but who are we to question Pep?
Who am I to question Pep etc etc… but it's funny how he can't help himself but to throw in a fourth midfielder even when it hasn't worked for City in the past.
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) April 4, 2018
