What an odd six days it\u2019s been. The first-leg was such a triumph, such a joy that many supporters didn\u2019t really know how to react. I\u2019m not sure anyone expected us to not only win the match but to stop Manchester City from even registering a shot on target. It was euphoric, a true moment to remember. Then there was the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool playing a mixed team that was made up half of players who are in no sort of form or rhythm and half of lads knackered from their monumental effort against the Cityzens. Thankfully, perhaps because of a lack of respect for the man in the dugout, Everton decided to allow us to play it out like a training match. Sam Allardyce\u2019s side couldn\u2019t even muster the willingness to pick up a booking, such was the extent to which it was close to being a nothing game. The complete opposite of the Manchester derby, in which it looked like City were cruising to an easy win before United got back into the match and it started to all kick-off. Liverpool, surely, could take heart from the defending by the hosts.<\/p>\n
\nGoing into this game with a 3-0 lead is great but still lots of work to do. Need to stay focused and give us another great performance.. good luck lads #YNWA<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 ROY EVANS (@Roy_Evo) April 10, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Derby weekend out of the way, all thoughts turned swiftly to this match. For some Liverpool supporters there was a sense that nerves might have been less frayed had the match finished 0-0. There\u2019s no question that J\u00fcrgen Klopp would have snatched your hands off for a 3-0 win before a ball was kicked in the first-leg. We all knew that City had to come and attack us and that Liverpool are a good counter-attacking side, but we also knew that Pep Guardiola\u2019s team could score goals for fun. They could\u2019ve been 5-0 up by the end of their first-half against their city rivals. It wasn\u2019t long after the final whistle against Everton that we all started second-guessing ourselves, convincing ourselves and each other that we could easily get knocked out tonight and that it would be shameful given the position of strength we were in at the end of the first-leg. Nerves were all over the place, for me at least. We\u2019ve got the European pedigree, but as Klopp said in his pre-match press conference, does the life our grandfathers led make our lives any easier? He said that his players had to go out and make their own history. The question is, could we do it?<\/p>\n
Pep Went Balls Out<\/h2>\n
The Manchester City coach is one of the best managers in world football. He knew heading into this game that he needed to produce something truly spectacular to make it through to the next round. He probably thought that Liverpool would score, meaning that his team would need to score at least five in order to qualify for the semi-finals. When he announced his starting line-up, in which he appeared to have selected four defensive players and seven attacking ones, it was clear that he wasn\u2019t going to end the day wondering ‘what if’. He went for the most attacking team he could possibly field, with the exception of leaving Sergio Ag\u00fcero on the bench in case he needed someone to change the game.<\/p>\n
\nHow we’re lining-up tonight! 🙌<\/p>\n
City XI | Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva (C), Sane, Sterling, Bernardo, G Jesus<\/p>\n
Subs | Bravo, Aguero, Kompany, Foden, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Delph#cityvlfc<\/a> #mancity<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rdWCEYwniX<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Manchester City (@ManCity) April 10, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n