Should Pep Guardiola back his main man to fire against Liverpool? | OneFootball

Manchester City faces a tough test on Sunday against Liverpool at Anfield. The match is a crucial Premier League fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side. City will be looking to pick up three big points at a venue where they have typically struggled. Heading into the match, the lineup Pep Guardiola selects is a topic that will dominate discussion. After Omar Marmoush’s impressive display against Newcastle, should the Egyptian international start at Anfield? Or, does Pep Guardiola back Erling Haaland to fire in a massive Premier League fixture? There is merit to the idea of starting Omar Marmoush over Haaland on current form, but for me, Haaland simply has to start up front at Anfield.

There is a case for Pep Guardiola to utilize the same players up front against Liverpool as he did against Newcastle.

Given how well Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush played against Newcastle, with Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders drifting forward from midfield behind them, there is a case for them to start against Liverpool at Anfield. This is especially true for Marmoush and Semenyo. Marmoush and Semenyo were both extremely dangerous with their movement and ability to press against Newcastle. They do offer that threat against Liverpool. Also, Marmoush is in goal-scoring form after his brace at the Etihad, so I can understand the case for Marmoush to start over Haaland.

Perhaps Pep Guardiola could start Haaland, Semenyo and Marmoush at Anfield. The three players could stretch and test Liverpool’s defence and each player is a proven commodity in the final third. But I cannot see Pep Guardiola deviating from the set up up front we saw against Newcastle. So that would mean two players start up front so to speak, and in my view, Haaland has to be one of them.

In my opinion, Erling Haaland simply has to start against Liverpool.

I can understand the opinion of why Haaland shouldn’t start against Liverpool. The goals have dried up for Manchester City’s star striker recently. Also, his performances haven’t been at Erling Haaland’s usual high standards out of possession. His performance in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham last Sunday wasn’t his best. Against Newcastle after coming on as a substitute, Haaland was lively and could have scored, as only two fine saves from Newcastle keeper Aaron Ramsdale denied him a goal. Haaland did look sharp at the Etihad, which could bode well for Sunday.

Given the threat that Haaland poses, and the player he is, he has to start against Liverpool in my opinion. Pep Guardiola’s side needs their main man up front. Haaland’s sheer presence creates space for Semenyo or Marmoush, plus Cherki, Foden, or Reijnders, whichever player starts, to thrive. Haaland is also a focal point for the long ball out of defence, and that should see him start against Liverpool. Despite the fact that Haaland’s form has dropped off, he remains the world’s best striker. Form is temporary and class is permanent, so Haaland will start banging the goals in sooner rather than later. Hopefully, that starts on Sunday against Liverpool.

I’d be surprised if Pep Guardiola didn’t start Erling Haaland against Liverpool on Sunday. It would be a major statement from Guardiola if he didn’t. Although Haaland hasn’t been in great form, he’s a bonafide match-winner and he has to start against Liverpool at Anfield in my opinion.