Manchester City and Liverpool are now in the top two of the Premier League table, and it's a game at the top of the table.

The war of words between Van Dijk and Li Chuanqi pushed this pinnacle battle to another level.

Let this match attract more attention from fans and media.

When night falls in Liverpool, Anfield Stadium is bustling.

Both players warmed up on the pitch, and although De Bruyne's injury has improved, he is not up to the standard of playing, so he did not play in the squad tonight, but sat in the stands in a casual suit.

This is very much a shame for Manchester City fans.

Although Seat B has performed well in recent games, there is still a certain gap compared to De Bruyne.

Especially with the last pass, he couldn't match the Belgian's level.

Manchester City's strong performance in the Premier League and Champions League in De Bruyne's absence is more dependent on strong overall strength.

Li Chuanqi's left ankle injury is basically healed, which is the best news for Manchester City fans.

A Li who is injured can pass or shoot in just over 30 minutes, how powerful is a healthy Li?

Manchester City fans are looking forward to it.

Liverpool's impressive record of six wins and one draw in the first seven rounds of the Premier League speaks volumes about how good their form is.

This is a formidable opponent, an opponent that Manchester City must overcome if they want to win the Premier League!

After the warm-up, the players from both sides returned to the dressing room to make final preparations for the pinnacle battle.

In the home dressing room, Jurgen Klopp was very pleased with the form of his players as they warmed up.

"I don't need to stress about what tonight's game means!"

Jurgen Klopp looked at his players and said: "All we have to do is play at our level, limit their play and keep the win!" ”

The players nodded their heads.

'They like to play the ball at the back and all we have to do is be a little bit more aggressive, a little more aggressive, a little bit more pressing when we press high!'

Jurgen Klopp's three "points" made the players understand that tonight's game is different from other games, and tonight's opponent is different from other opponents.

They have to pay more to have a chance of winning in the end.

"...... on the defensive"

Klopp glanced at Van Dijk: "We have to do a good job of helping to defend and have more layers. ”

Van Dijk thought for a moment and nodded, because Klopp was talking about help defense rather than trapping and blocking, which showed that Klopp had a lot of confidence in him.

"The best defense is to limit the opponent before they get the ball, so that they don't get the ball comfortably, or they can't speed up after they get the ball!

As long as we do that, our defense is half the battle! ”

Jurgen Klopp looked at his players and said, "Compress their attacking space and cut off their passing routes!" Don't they like to pass the ball, as long as we can cut off their passing lanes, we've made it to the other half! ”

The players knew it would be difficult to do that, but they nodded.

He looked at left-back Robertson and said: "You can reduce the number of assists tonight or even not attack, but you have to limit Lee's play, slow down his progress, and create opportunities for his teammates to pack!" ”

Robertson looked at Klopp in surprise, and then at Van Dijk not far away.

Then he took a deep breath and nodded at Klopp.

He knows that he still has a certain gap with Van Dijk in defensive ability, and the coach can agree that Van Dijk and Li Chuanqi are one-on-one, but when it comes to him...... Is it to limit Li Chuanqi's advance speed and wait for the support of his teammates?

……

Away team locker room.

After Pep Guardiola set up his starting line-up, he began to boost emotions and morale: "Everyone should know what this game means. Some people say that the reason why we have won seven in a row in the Premier League is because we haven't played against a big team!

We don't care if there is any truth to this statement, all we have to do is win against Liverpool tonight and shut up those people! ”

"Good!"

The players applauded, which was domineering.

Pep Guardiola motioned for everyone to be quiet and continued: "To win against Liverpool, we have to be 100 per cent! ”

Through the warm-up just now, Guardiola was not happy with the form of some of the players, thinking that they did not seem to be very excited about the game.

Could it be the reason for continuous combat?

Indeed, Manchester City are now in a multi-fronted schedule.

Premier League, Champions League, League Cup.

After a number of important games in a row, the players were tired.

Just finished playing the Champions League three days ago, under normal circumstances, the main team should be rested, but when it comes to a strong team like Liverpool, the main team will definitely have no rest.

Although there is no problem with the depth of Manchester City's bench, there is still a certain gap between the main team and the substitutes.

……

At 7:40, the starters of both sides walked out of the locker room and came to the players' tunnel.

Klopp deliberately patted Van Dijk on the shoulder and said: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself!" ”

Van Dijk nodded: "Coach, don't worry, he's not a problem!" ”

Klopp wanted to say a few more words, but he didn't.

Is Lee so easy to defend?

If so, how could he have achieved so many honors.

At 7:45, the starters of both sides led the ball boy, followed the referee, and walked out of the player tunnel.

They were greeted by a tsunami of cheers!

The Sky Sports commentator shouted: "Players from both sides have entered the pitch!" The pinnacle showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City is about to begin!

As with all important matches, there was a war of words between the coaches and players before the game.

The most notable was the war of words between Van Dijk and Lee.

Liverpool's defensive stalwart said in an interview with the media that if there is anyone in this world who can defend Lee in a one-on-one situation, then that person is him, and it can only be him!

Not only that, but he also countered that Lee told the media why he joined Manchester City and abandoned Liverpool.

Van Dijk said he chose Liverpool because he didn't like Pep Guardiola's coaching style and Manchester City's style, so he ended up choosing Liverpool.

The phrase was similar to what Lee said, who said in an interview with the media that he did not like Liverpool's style.

Many people don't think that this is the real reason why he didn't choose Liverpool, because Atletico and Liverpool have similar styles, and both are very fond of pressing high positions!

The two are not only-for-tat in front of the media, but also on social platforms.

Lee said on social platforms - then try!

Van Dijk immediately fought back on social platforms – try it!

What kind of sparks will the two of them create in tonight's game is worth looking forward to!

The battle for the top spot is about to begin! ”