[ad_1]
Liverpool v Manchester City. Pep Guardiola against Jurgen Klopp. Champions of the Premier League and the world against the champions of the League Cup.
And Jamie Redknapp vs. Micah Richards.
ECHO participated in a panel discussion with the Sky Sports duo ahead of Sunday’s clash between the two dominant forces in English football in recent years.
Surely a combination of the two sides would be even stronger.
But who would form that side? The question was asked of former Liverpool captain Redknapp and City Richards champion, and things soon got quite lively …
Jamie Redknapp: Okay, so 4-3-3. I think Alisson, Micah, right?
Micah Richards: I agree at this time. I think he and Ederson are on the same level, but Ed had a crash a while ago and Alisson has been in better shape for probably the last 12 months.
JR: Centrals are pretty easy. I know you’ll want to bring your partner John Stones, but unfortunately that can’t happen, Micah. I think it has to be Dias and Van Dijk. If you had those two, you wouldn’t lose a game the entire season. Do you agree?
MR: Oooh. But the Stones boy has to be there. You’re not going to Man City for £ 50 million for nothing and he’s in the shape of his life!
JR: Are you putting him ahead of Virgil?
MR: No, Virgil is number one, but can we stipulate that he wanted John Stones then?
JR: What about the right then?
MR: It is not up for debate. Trent is the best right back there is. He’s going through a bad three or four months, but he’s by far the best.
JR: And to the left we go Robertson … he is an incredible player, right?
MR: Yes, Robertson.
JR: Now it gets interesting! Midfield, we have to start with De Bruyne …
MR: Wait, we have four Liverpool players right now!
JR: De Bruyne and we have to find a couple of players to play with him. You see, I love Fernandinho, I would love to take him there.
MR: Are we talking about a Fernandinho in shape or a Fernandinho as he has been? You see, now it gets a little sticky.
JR: I want Jordan Henderson in.
MR: I’m a huge Henderson fan. People have laughed at me for that. But this team is being dominated by Liverpool …
JR: Well it could be, but that’s why they won the league last year, so let’s stick with this team, and they won the Champions League the year before, so don’t be disappointed.
MR: LOL! Well Henderson is a question mark for me because it depends on how you want to play and Foden has to be on the team.
JR: That? That is a great decision. He’s on the bench more than he plays. He’s a great little player, but are you picking him ahead of Wijnaldum, ahead of Fabinho?
MR: Ahead of Wijnaldum 100%. That is not even in doubt. Foden has to be in that midfield three. I’ll give you Henderson. You can have Henderson sitting… NO !! You have to have Fabinho inside. Fabinho is unreal!
JR: This question has asked us here.
MR: I’m going to put up with Fabinho because in recent seasons he has been incredible. With KDB and Foden at the helm. Tell me a better midfield than that. Henderson, it was amazing. He is a leader and you need all of that. But you can’t have Fabinho and Henderson when you can have KDB and Foden at the helm. Come on!
JR: And Thiago?
MR: Thiago hasn’t done it yet. He has won about a game of 13!
JR: Don’t start, it’s not his fault.
MR: But we are talking about the elite and Fabinho is one of the three best defensive midfielders in the world.
JR: Well, here is one, who is the better player: Fabinho or Fernandinho. Because Fernandinho should be considered a great of the Premier League. It doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
MR: But that’s in the last five years. We have to be talking for the last 12 months before this game. Fabinho deserves to be there.
JR: Yes. Okay. But leaving out Jordan Henderson is bugging me a bit. I’m going to ask my little boy (Redknapp introduces his son). Hi Beau, we have a Man City-Liverpool combined midfield (words exchanged off-camera). Beau has left for Thiago.
MR: Argh! That’s what I mean. Beau is FIFA, the next generation, they don’t know about tactics and protecting your back four and all that.
Video not available
JR: Come on Beau, talk to him with common sense. Micah wants Foden in … Beau is shaking his head. KDB is a certificate. Beau, who else would you go for, Wijnaldum?
MR: Wijnaldum ?! Do not you dare. Do not insult my intelligence! Honestly … Wijnaldum? He’s a great team player, but he’s not a superstar quality.
JR: Well, I’ll give you Foden if you give me Henderson. Now the first three, this is very interesting. Are we going Mane or Sterling?
MR: Mane is better than Sterling. It hurts to say it but it is. This is a problem. We have too many Liverpool players. We need a team each. Okay, my team: Salah and Mane have to go in.
JR: Well, our own teams. We have the same goalkeeper and side. And the centrals?
MR: Stones … okay, I have to be real. Dias has been out of this world. I have to go to Dias. That is fair. So okay, we have the same four defenders and the same goalkeeper.
JR: My midfield is Thiago, KDB and Henderson.
MR: I go to Fabinho, KDB, Foden.
JR: Okay, I like that. Up front I’m going to Salah, Mane, Sterling. Yes, we need goals. Where are Sterling’s goals? The team doesn’t really have a forward.
MR: I have to agree with the first three, I think, to be fair.
Get the latest news on injuries and Liverpool teams as Klopp faces the selection dilemma, plus the latest news and analysis of what’s next for the Reds.
You’ll also get the latest talk and transfer analysis delivered right to your inbox every day with our FREE email newsletter.
Register here, it only takes a few seconds!
JR: There’s no one we’ve lost, right? (Gundogan is mentioned to the duo)
MR: Yes! Forget Fabinho. I need more City players. Give me Gundogan, Foden, De Bruyne. I like that. Forget Fabinho. We don’t need to get defensive. We are playing soccer!
JR: Yes, you have VVD and Dias in the back! You don’t need a defensive midfielder. I think you’re scared, Micah!
Watch Liverpool v Manchester City exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW TV at 4.30pm
[ad_2]
