Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned his side against complacency as they look to protect a 3-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League quarter-final against Man City at the Etihad on Tuesday night.
Liverpool scored three times in the first half at Anfield last Wednesday to put one foot in the last four of Europe’s premier club competition.
Klopp, though, insists the visitors are not the favourites to progress to the semi-finals.
“I am not interested (in the favourites tag),” said the German. “We are only in the lead. It is better than I expected but you all know there is still a lot of work to do.
“We are not thinking about who is favourite.”
Forward Mohamed Salah, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season, missed out due to a groin injury as the Reds shared a goalless draw at city rivals Everton on Saturday.
Of the Egyptian’s chances of recovering in time to face City, Klopp said: “Not sure 100 per cent. We train at 5pm. It is rather yes than no, but we have to see. We will train and then make a decision.”
Meanwhile, City had hoped to head into the tie having secured the Premier League title with a derby victory over arch-rivals Manchester United on Saturday.
However, they allowed a 2-0 lead to slip from their grasp as Jose Mourinho’s team emerged with a memorable 3-2 win at the Etihad.
Just how much psychological damage that may have done remains to be seen, but the City coach admits he will learn much about his players from their reaction.
Asked what effect the derby defeat might have, he replied: “I don’t know, but if we are not able to cope with that psychologically, it will be a good lesson for the future.
“It is a test. Football, like life, is a challenge. We have 90 minutes plus extra time and what we have shown this year – even in the last game – we can create a lot of chances in the last few minutes.”
Team News
Sergio Aguero could make his first start for more than a month after returning to action following a knee injury as a late substitute against United on the weekend.
There may still be a doubt over defender John Stones, who missed the derby with a muscle problem.
City will be missing left-back Benjamin Mendy, with the France international having returned to training after a long-term knee problem, but still lacking match fitness.
- Man City won their home league game against Liverpool 5-0 this season – their only win in their last nine games against them in all competition (D2 L6)
- City are looking to become only the third club in Champions League history to have overturned a 3+ goal deficit from the first leg in the knockout stages – Deportivo against Milan in 2003/04 and Barcelona against PSG last season
- Liverpool could become the first team to beat Man City three times in the same season since Man Utd in 2009-10
- Man City have only lost one of their last 13 Champions League home games (W9 D3), though it was in the last round against FC Basel (1-2)
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five Champions League away games (W2 D3). They last went six without defeat on the road in the competition between March-December 2005, during which time they won the trophy
- Liverpool have scored more goals than any other side in his season’s Champions League (31). Man Utd (32 in 2002-03) are the only English team to score more in a single season in the competition
