Man City must halt Virgil van Dijk's long passes to Mohamed Salah

In preparation for their upcoming match set for Sunday in England, Manchester City is acutely aware of the challenges posed by Liverpool, particularly in relation to their defender Virgil van Dijk. With his ability to deliver precise long balls, the team recognizes that they cannot afford to give him any space on the ball, as he frequently uses these opportunities to connect with star winger Mohamed Salah. This tactical awareness stems from recent performances, including Liverpool's impressive showing against Real Madrid, where they showcased their capability to dominate opponents through effective long-range passing. Additionally, the Liverpool squad features players like Ryan Gravenberch, who have exhibited strong performances in midfield, thereby indicating a potentially tough challenge for City. City, on their part, are managing a challenging scenario themselves as they grapple with the absence of key players like Rodri, a situation that has affected the overall team dynamics. Manager Pep Guardiola is faced with the task of rallying his players to focus on regaining their momentum, as lapses in concentration in previous games have led to uncharacteristic defeats, most notably a recent match where they squandered a three-goal lead against Feyenoord. The urgency of the situation means that Guardiola will likely opt for a strategy that includes bringing back his first-choice players, reinforcing their formation to ensure they can effectively challenge Liverpool's attacking threats. He might consider incorporating Bernardo Silva into a deeper midfield role to enhance ball retention throughout the game. Ultimately, this fixture is seen by City as a pivotal opportunity to recover points in the title race, facing off against old rivals in a high-stakes setting. As they approach this crucial encounter, it is evident that both teams will be looking to assert their influence early on.