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Insofar as this can be true for a man who appears to contort himself through several varying levels of anguish during each Manchester City game, Pep Guardiola has really seemed to be enjoying himself this season give or take few minutes here and there during his team's improbable act of final-day escapology against Aston Villa on SUnday.
It has certainly been the case in his media conferences, where he has rarely mi sed a chance to be mischievous, deeply sarcastic or both. Just ask Dimitar Berbatov and Patrice Evra.
Towards the end of a heart-on-sleeve display before the cameras in the aftermath of Citys gut-wrenching Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid, Guardiola arched his eyebrows in a pursed expre sion before breaking out into a grin when a reporter opined that four Premier League titles in five seasons would be a quite fantastic achievement.
Quite? Just quite? Its not awesome? MLB New York Yankees he responded with rhetorical elan.
We saw another flash of this Guardiola recently when he reminded Berbatov and Evra - each of whom questioned Citys character in the aftermath of their Santiago Bernabeu ordeal - of how Barcelona destroyed their Manchester United in two Champions League finals.
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However much he tries to stick to the maxim of game-by-game Masahiro Tanaka Jersey , Guardiola is fanatical when it comes to football history and is keenly aware of exactly where his coaching achievements sit within it, however much he might claim those judgements are for others to make.
This might explain his relatively breezy mood because, on his own terms as a coach, this awesome fourth title in five seasons at City is his best. Even before or perhaps despite the Hollywood finale, this was his masterpiece.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp - a defining rivalry for Pep Guardiola and Man CityThe primary reason for this is the team and the manager he has beaten. Jurgen Klopps Liverpool are a brutal winning machine. One of, the most perfect teams I have seen in my life, was how Guardiola described them after Citys 2-2 draw at West Ham last Sunday that nudged a suffocating battle to the brink of calamity in Manchester.
Klopps contract extension until 2026 and plenty of indications that Guardiola is very settled in Manchester mean this rivalry will continue to define their careers. Liverpool can make it two Champions Leagues under Klopp, the trophy that remains absent from Guardiola's City haul and one he cherishes dearly. But this Premier League succe s, much like the titanic tu sle where City pipped the Reds by 98 points to 97 in 2018/19, will endure as the years pa s.
Any sporting succe s is defined by the opponent you overcome. It is why great rivalries such as Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier, Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal and Magic Johnsons Los Angeles Lakers against Larry Birds Boston Celtics still capture the collective imagination. Citys 100-point season in 2017/18 and their Mariano Rivera Jersey recalibration to conquer the challenge of pandemic football more effectively than anyone else last time around were worthy of celebration in their own right. Holding off arguably the finest Liverpool side in that clubs storied history is a little more special.
City celebrated the 10th anniversary of Sergio Agueros unforgettable heroics against Queens Park Rangers with what at times felt like an absurdist final-day re-enactment, wearing a kit that nods towards the design from that 2011/12 season. Aguero now completes a triptych of statues outside the Etihad Stadium alongside fellow modern greats Vincent Kompany and David Silva.
The difference in 2018/19 was Guardiola had Aguero in peak striking form as opposed to a galvanised steel replica. The Argentina international fired home a sensational strike as City beat Liverpool 2-1 in January 2019 to begin chasing them down, while he also equalised in their 4-1 final-day win over Brighton.
City were the hunters that time. This term they were the hunted as Liverpool and their now superior firepower refused to let up, building week after week of irresistible momentum. City faced that down and prevailed without the Aguero replacement Guardiola craved after a close-season bid for Harry Kane collapsed.
What were Pep Guardiola's key tactics this season?Erling Haaland will be in situ soon enough, but Guardiola decided to stick for this season rather than twist with an inferior centre-forward to Kane. To be clear, these were not times of hardship Roger Maris Jersey at the Etihad Stadium. They never are. Jack Grealish arrived as a British record signing and has been a functional and improving member of a well-drilled squad, which is fine but not exactly the blurb you expect to accompany a 100million playmaker.
However, Grealish was part of Guardiola doing this absolutely on his terms. Without an Aguero-style option to bail his team out of tough moments, they did it collectively. A phalanx of ballplayers finding the extra pa s, manipulating opponents and the tempo and finding stylish ways to win. It was an approach City properly honed last season behind closed doors but it remained just as formidable amid the noise and heat of packed houses.
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Citys squad is high on quality but light on Jorge Posada Jersey numbers partly by design and partly by circumstances. Guardiola was unmoved from his mantra of no bad faces, even when Ferran Torres desire to join Barcelona in January left him with 17 senior outfield players to choose from.
Ideally, Kane would have joined and Torres remained, but the benefit of a small group moulded over the past half a decade was that everyone knew each of the coachs intricate demands to the letter.
Getty ImagesRodri, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte were all unused substitutes for last seasons Champions League final and no one particularly batted an eyelid. In 2021/22, they have been immense presences for City and among the very best operators in their positions anywhere.
Bernardo Silva wanted to leave before the start of a campaign where he has been Citys best player. Raheem Sterling pulled himself out of a prolonged slump in club form to make key contributions once more and Kevin De Bruyne put patchy form and fitne s from the first half of the campaign behind him to propel the title charge.
What is Man City's record against Liverpool, Chelsea and Don Mattingly Jersey Manchester United this season?The upshot has been Citys most consistent body of work to date under Guardiola. There have been isolated below-par performances, but they have never descended into the sort of slump you can ill-afford with Liverpool around. You can also count them on the fingers of one hand.
In the biggest games, they were imperious. Chelsea gave City nightmares towards the end of last season, but in two 1-0 defeats this term the European champions barely troubled their o
AC Milan midfielder Franck Ke sie has revealed his dream of Adrian Colbert Jersey playing for the most succe sful English Premier League club, Manchester United.
The Cote dIvoire international has been a key figure in Gennaro Gattusos team this season with several impre sive displays in midfield.
With reported interests from top European clubs including Joe Staley Jersey Napoli and Chelsea in the summer, Ke sie opted for a switch to the San Siro outfit, completing a two-year loan move from Atalanta.
However, the 21-year-old has stated his desire to playin English Solomon Thomas Jersey Premier League in the future, 'and in particular Manchester United'.
I did not hear any rumours around Roma, as I was at the Africa Cup of Nations and so focused only on playing, Ke sie told Tuttomercatoweb.
I like the Premier League and in particular Manchester United, the club I Laken Tomlinson Jersey dream of playing for.
Chelsea is also a great club, no one would refuse it, but I dream of United.
Ke sie has scored four goals in 25 league appearances Ahkello Witherspoon Jersey for the Ro soneri so far this season.
Related ArticlesLiverpool take on Everton at Anfield this Sunday in the Merseyside Derby, in what is shaping up to be a crucial Francisco Rodriguez Jersey encounter at both ends of the table.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds will be desperate to keep up their title charge and build on their 4-0 victory over their other arch-rivals Manchester United during the week.
On the other hand, the Toffees come into this one in relatively decent form after picking up four points from their last two games. Frank Lampard will look to continue to put out the relegation fire, as his side seek an unlikely win at Anfield to boost their survival hopes.
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How to watch Liverpool vs. EvertonUKUSACanadaAustraliaDateApril 24April 24April 24April 25Time4.30 p.m. BST11.30 a.m. ET11.30 a.m. ET2:30 a.m. AESTTV channelSky Sports Main EventUSA NetworkDAZNOptus SportStreamingNOW TVfuboTVDAZNOptus SportIn the US, televised Premier League Dave Cash Jersey games are
In Canada, every Premier League game . Aaron Altherr Jersey
Liverpool vs. Everton predicted lineupsLiverpool will hope to welcome back forward Roberto Firmino for the Merseyside derby, after the striker mi sed the victory over Manchester United due to a foot injury sustained in the FA Cup semi-final.
Apart from the Brazilian, the Reds have no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Everton.
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3):Ali son (GK) Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Salah, Mane, Diaz.
On the other hand, Everton will have Yerry Mina and Donny van de Beek available for the short trip Darren Daulton Jersey to Anfield after both were featured in the matchday squad against Leicester City.
Nathan Patterson, Tom Davies, Cenk Tosun, and Andros Townsend are all ruled out owing to long-term injuries. Dele Alli may be included in midfield after an impre sive showing during the week.
Everton predicted lineup (4-3-3):Pickford (GK Mitch Williams Jersey ) Coleman, Mina, Godfrey, Mykolenko Allan, Alli, Iwobi Gordon, Richarlison, Gray.
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Liverpool vs. Everton betting oddsLiverpool go into this one as favourites, with much expectation placed on their ruthle s attacking quality once again. Mohamed Salah returned to goalscoring form with a double against Manchester United on Tuesday and will hope to add to his 22 Premier League goals in 2021/22.
Everton may choose to sit deep and compact in the hope of breaking down opposition attacks. Following an improved couple of defensive displays in the past two games, Frank Lampard may attempt to orchestrate a counter-attacking threat to gain the result they need.
UK(Sky Bet)USA(DraftKings)Canada(Sports Interaction)Liverpool Win1/6-5251.16Draw13/2+6506.49Everton Win14/1+140012.00Over 2.5 Goals2/5-225- John Kruk Jersey Both Teams to Score1/1+1101.99 Related Articles