da pinup bet： Rounding off what has been a fantastic festive period in the Premier League are Liverpool and Manchester City – the perfect match to end 2016 and our Fixture in Focus here at FootballFanCast.
da 888： The two sides meet at Anfield in New Year’s Eve’s late kick-off and it looks set to be a thrilling contest, with both clubs separated by just one point in the Premier League table and both managers famed for their insistence upon attacking football.
Indeed, Liverpool and Manchester City are the Premier League’s first and joint-second top scorers respectively this term and although their philosophies may differ in method, they come to a similar consequence of high-energy, ball retention and explosiveness in the final third.
So with little to choose between the two sides, we posed a curious question to Manchester City fans earlier this week: which Liverpool stars would you like to see Pep Guardiola sign?
Well, the votes of our exclusive poll have been counted and FootballFanCast can now reveal the top five Reds stars Citizens fans want to join the ranks at the Etihad Stadium.
5. Nathaniel Clyne
Both of Manchester City’s defensive flanks could do with a revamp and it appears fans are particularly concerned about the right-back position, which has been shared between Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna this season.
With both No.2 veterans the wrong side of 30, the Citizens are in dire need of some fresh blood and looking around the Premier League, there are few stronger candidates than Nathaniel Clyne.
Solid at the back and decent going forward, the England international offers real balance between defence and attack. He’s grabbed two assists in 18 Premier League outings this term, also averaging 2.4 tackles-per-match.
4. Simon Mignolet
The most surprising inclusion in our top five, Simon Mignolet is maligned by the vast majority of the Anfield fanbase – only reclaiming his place in the starting XI due to Loris Karius’ equally shaky performances – but Manchester City fans seemingly have some appreciation for the Belgian shot-stopper.
In truth, the goalkeeping situation at the Etihad Stadium isn’t much better; Claudio Bravo’s haphazard approach hasn’t won over too many supporters, who are yet to get over Joe Hart’s loan departure to Serie A.
Is Mignolet the answer though? We’re not convinced.
3. Adam Lallana
After failing to uproot trees during his first couple of years on Merseyside, Adam Lallana has really come to life under Jurgen Klopp this season, notching up seven goals and six assists from his new-found central midfield role.
Nimble, creative, technically adept and energetic without the ball, the England playmaker would suit Pep Guardiola’s preferred style of play perfectly. Likewise, following the German international’s season-ending injury, he’d be the perfect stand-in for Ilkay Gundogan.
2. Sadio Mane
Many baulked at his price-tag during the summer but Sadio Mane’s gone on to prove he’s one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League, leading Liverpool’s scoring charts with eight goals in 17 top flight outings.
The speedy Senegalese has added a new dimension to the Reds’ attack, one of the predominant factors behind them scoring the most goals of any Premier League side this term, and he’s another who’d suit the traditional Guardiola system.
Imagine the sheer velocity of City’s attacks with Mane on one wing and Raheem Sterling on the other.
1. Philippe Coutinho
Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised to see Philippe Coutinho top our poll. Many rate the Brazilian playmaker as the jewel in Liverpool’s attacking crown and his early-season form was certainly deserving of such status, claiming five goals and five assists in 13 Premier League outings prior to injury.
Some have tipped the attacking midfielder to become the next Premier League star to jump ship to the El Clasico rivalry and we’re sure Guardiola would appreciate his services as well – even if he’s a little more direct than the former Barca manager’s preferred type of creator.
CLICK THROUGH TO THE NEXT PAGE TO SEE THE RESULTS IN FULL
Results