Two players for Manchester City could have key roles to play against Liverpool | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Liverpool in what looms as a massive Premier League fixture for both teams. Ahead of this weekend’s results, City sit second and Liverpool are third on the Premier League table. Neither team will want to lose tomorrow as they bid to keep in touch with league leaders, Arsenal, heading into the international break. There is a host of players who could shape tomorrow’s result for both teams. From a City point of view, Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki could have massive roles to play at the Etihad Stadium for Pep Guardiola’s side.

If Nico O’Reilly starts at left-back, he could he a key player for Manchester City against Liverpool.

So far this season, Nico O’Reilly has been one of, if not, the best left-back in the Premier League. Going forward, O’Reilly has become a valuable weapon for Pep Guardiola’s side. His ability to ghost into the box to either score goals or create space and opportunities for his teammates is a key element of Manchester City’s play. Given that Nico O’Reilly is a midfielder playing left-back, he’s an underrated player in the Manchester City squad. Arne Slot’s side does press high up the pitch, so Nico O’Reilly could be a key player for City tomorrow.

Where Nico O’Reilly could also have an important role to play for his team is on the defensive side of the game. If O’Reilly starts at left-back, Mo Salah will likely be the player O’Reilly will have to help contain on Liverpool’s right wing. Salah has tormented City for years. His record against Manchester City is well-documented. If O’Reilly starts at left-back, I expect that he will, it will be his job to help quell the threat of Mo Salah. I feel it is a job that Nico O’Reilly is more than up to. Nico O’Reilly looms as an important player for Pep Guardiola’s side tomorrow.

Rayan Cherki could be the player to break open tomorrow’s match for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Obviously, Manchester City will need to score to beat Liverpool tomorrow. In Erling Haaland, City has the best striker in world football leading the line. If they can provide Haaland with the service he needs to thrive, he could break tomorrow’s match open. Pep Guardiola’s side is full of players who can split open a game with a moment of magic or with an incisive through ball. Rayan Cherki is just one of many potential game breakers for City. He does look like a player who could be a vital contributor in tomorrow’s match.

Liverpool typically presses high up the pitch in a similar manner to that of Bournemouth. It is, and has been, a strength of Liverpool’s game. They aren’t as aggressive as they were in this facet of the game as they were under Jurgen Klopp. But their high press does play a key part in their system. If Manchester City can beat Liverpool’s press, it could lead the way to a vital three points for City. Rayan Cherki could be the player to split open Liverpool’s defence tomorrow.

Rayan Cherki was superb for Manchester City in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth last Sunday. He grabbed two assists, and the moments he played Haaland through in the first half of last weekend’s match against Andoni Iraola’s side show what he could do against Liverpool. Cherki is beginning to grow into life as a City player. His confidence is flowing and tomorrow’s match at the Etihad could be the ideal setting for Rayan Cherki to break open a massive match against a quality opponent.

Summary.

Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki loom as key players for Manchester City tomorrow against Liverpool. If the pair start they’ll both play important roles for Pep Guardiola’s side. The pair could break open tomorrow’s match with their quality going forward, and in the case of Nico O’Reilly he may have the job of quelling Mo Salah which could go a long way in deciding tomorrow’s match. Tomorrow’s match is full of potential game breakers but for me, Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly may be two players for City who could swing tomorrow’s match in Pep Guardiola’s sides favour.