In an exclusive interview with BoyleSports, former Liverpool and Man City player Didi Hamann has revealed his Liverpool and Man City combined XI.
Hamann, who is a football analyst and pundit nowadays, made some big calls in selecting his preferred XI between the 2 teams. The former German international also gave us his Liverpool v Man City prediction ahead of the big game this Sunday plus highlighted 2 teams that he believes are a class apart in the race to win the Champions League.
Liverpool & Man City Combined XI
With injuries, you never know, but I’ve actually got five Liverpool players.
My Liverpool and Man City combined XI would be: Alisson; Walker, Dias, Van Dijk, Robertson; Rodri, Mac Allister, De Bruyne; Salah, Haaland and Foden.
Kyle Walker Over Trent
Kyle Walker, I will always like someone who is defensively solid and if there is a flaw in Trent’s game then it’s going backwards. Walker is rock solid and has pace in abundance despite being 33, he doesn’t seem to get any slower. Going forward he does damage too, he has been sensational for City in the last few years.
Van Dijk's Inclusion
With Van Dijk, he didn’t have much help in recent years after going a season without being dribbled past in the Premier League which is quite something, but when he did make some mistakes he had no one there to help him out.
That has changed with Konate because he has a player he trusts and I think it took his game to another level.
Man City Proved Why They Are Worthy Title Favourites Against United
Man City showed again after going behind that they have got the resilience to deal with setbacks. They showed their title credentials again. The team to beat. Even though I do fancy Liverpool, City showed they are favourites and rightly so.
At some stage, they’ve got to get a result against a good team. I think there’s a lot of work to be done. They’re a long way off challenging for the title.
I’d be very surprised if they do challenge in the next three years, I can’t see it happening.
Liverpool’s Late Winner Against Nottingham Forest
In the Spurs game, they scored the goal which was taken away for offside, so over the course of the season things levelled out. I think it was almost two minutes before they scored but at the same time the ball should have been given back to Forest, it was a mistake by the referee. Whether it had an influence on the outcome of the game we’ll never know.
It’s always easier when you come out the right side but I don’t know if Klopp would have complained. But it is what it is and again, it was almost two minutes before so I think it’s only Forest to blame, they had a chance to clear the corner two or three times when they were in possession of the ball.
Liverpool won it back and it’s a brilliant ball by Alexis Mac Allister and an even better header by Nunes. They all count and whether it was deserved or not it doesn’t really matter they just have to win these games with the tight schedule. After the League Cup final and FA Cup game it was a huge result.
But another brilliant three points and a great header by Nunez. He seems to come alive at the right time of the season, as we’ve seen with City they don’t seem to be slipping up so they’ve got to keep up with them.
*Liverpool are 2/1 to win the Premier League per the latest football betting odds at BoyleSports.
Liverpool v Man City Prediction
Liverpool vs Manchester City is huge, not to forget Arsenal who are still involved to make it a three-horse race for the first time in the best part of 10 years. Liverpool’s record at Anfield against Manchester City in recent years I think is pretty good.
It won’t be finished if City get beat but it would be a huge step forward for Liverpool. The Anfield Road stand is open now so the 50,000 there will be cheering them on, I can’t wait.
Didi Hamann’s Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Man City
*You can back Liverpool 2-2 Man City at 10/1 with our Premier League odds at BoyleSports.
Who’s Going To Win The Champions League?
If you want to win it, you have to beat City, it’s obviously easier to beat them in a one-off game rather than over two legs. Over two legs I can only see Real Madrid beating them.
I don’t see anyone else beating them over two legs. City and Real Madrid are a cut above the rest of the other 14 teams. If you avoid City and Real Madrid, and be in the other half, then everyone has a chance. And City over one leg are beatable, I think Inter probably could or should have beat them last year, but City are the favourites and rightly so.
*Man City are 7/4 favourites to win the Champions League according to the latest Champions League odds at BoyleSports while Real Madrid are 9/2 2nd favourites for Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
*Prices subject to fluctuation.
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