Klopp: ‘Firmino is still essential for us’
Check out Jürgen Klopp’s pre match press conference ahead of the Community Shield which will see Liverpool take on Manchester City at the King Power Stadium. The German manager discussed Bobby Firmino and whether the Brazilian still has a role at the club.
Liverpool vs Manchester City: Line-ups
Liverpool
Manchester City
Could Go To Penalties
#1
Liverpool have been crowned outright winners of the Community Shield on 10 occasions – sharing the honour in another five seasons – but not since 2006 have the Reds got their hands on that particular piece of silverware.
#2
Klopp’s side had their penchant for penalty shootouts to thank for their FA and EFL Cup double over Chelsea last season, but both of Liverpool’s last two Community Shield defeats have actually come from 12 yards, most recently to Arsenal in the 2020 edition.
#3
Two wins and two defeats have come the Reds’ way in pre-season so far, but preparations for the reunion with City did not go according to plan in Austria during a 1-0 defeat to Red Bull Salzburg, and Strasbourg will also pay a visit to Anfield 24 hours after the Community Shield.
#4
Man City’s pre-season period is now technically over, but Guardiola will renew hostilities with Barcelona for an ALS charity friendly at the end of August, and the Citizens have an added motivation to come out on top in the annual curtain-raiser.
#5
Meetings between City and Liverpool in the latter stages of cup tournaments are commonplace nowadays, and the 2021-22 season saw the two powerhouses play out a pair of pulsating 2-2 draws in the Premier League before the Reds survived a scare to win their FA Cup semi-final by three goals to two.
DPP Verdict
A glut of goals can normally be expected when Liverpool and Man City butt heads, but both managers could very well choose to adopt a more conservative approach to avoid any further injury woes before the new season commences. Liverpool and penalty shootouts have gone hand-in-hand over the past few months, and with barely anything to separate the two sides on the pitch – barring the likely starting goalkeepers – we are once again backing Klopp’s side to harness their prowess and experience from the spot to come out on top.
