WITHOUT Erling Haaland, City could have faced an identity crisis against Liverpool.
Would they persist with the changes they have been implementing all season to get the best out of Haaland, or revert to their more measured build-up of recent seasons? Pep Guardiola talked up Julian Alvarez's off-the-ball work, his ability to play in a front two, and his general attitude before the game - but not his form as a lone striker.
Guardiola even joked the Blues could play three false nines instead of Alvarez, but that was an early attempt at an April Fool as the Argentine did indeed start against Liverpool. Not only did he prove he can play upfront on his own - he showed he can do exactly what Haaland has done so often this season.
Before this game, Alvarez had started nine times without Haaland, but mostly in cup games with far less pressure. His only 90 minutes in the Premier League without Haaland came at Leicester, where he was frustrated by their low block and essentially sacrificed as City ground out a 1-0 win.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 03, 2023 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 03, 2023 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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