One of many issues Metropolis haven’t acquired proper this season is how you can change Rodri within the quantity six position.
Kovacic, Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have all had a go.
“My intestine feeling is, due to the place their kind is at, and with Liverpool flying for the time being, for as soon as Metropolis may need to offer them a little bit of respect and check out one thing a bit totally different on Sunday,” stated Murphy.
“If Ruben Dias is match to start out, alongside possibly Nathan Ake, then I might be tempted to play [defender] Manuel Akanji in that midfield holding position, as John Stones has achieved earlier than.
“I’m not positive if Pep will try this, however possibly this time, his precedence won’t be about how Metropolis are going to make probabilities and rating targets in opposition to this nice Liverpool defence, as a result of he trusts his gamers to do this.
“We should always bear in mind they’re serial winners and we’re speaking a couple of group with a few of the finest gamers on the planet, however one of many key elements to them having any success at Anfield is for them to be significantly better defensively than they’ve been just lately.
“It could possibly be damaging for Metropolis to go to Anfield with their standard system, the place Rico Lewis is at right-back and drifts into midfield, which would depart their again three in opposition to Liverpool’s entrance three.”
Murphy thinks the guests will begin Kevin de Bruyne, who has just lately returned from damage, and considered one of Gundogan or Silva – plus a extra defensive-minded participant like Akanji or Lewis in midfield.
“I might be actually stunned if he decides to play, say, Gundogan and Silva in there on their very own, with Phil Foden behind Erling Haaland once more,” stated the previous England midfielder.
“Though it’s nice to have perception in your self, if you find yourself conceding targets like Metropolis are, it’s a must to play the second.”
Murphy stated he’s “definitely not attempting to recommend that Metropolis ought to park the bus and never imagine in themselves” – however did recommend two choices for Guardiola.
“Liverpool play a entrance three, and they’re superb – so Metropolis ought to play a 4 [at the back]. Metropolis are conceding numerous targets, so possibly their again 4 ought to think about stopping Liverpool’s entrance three,” he added.
“After which Liverpool’s midfield is superb for the time being, so possibly Metropolis ought to play three midfielders in there who’re suited to that battle, reasonably than two midfielders and one ahead.”
