This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Manchester City will travel to Anfield this Sunday as they take on league leaders Liverpool. The clash is set to be the biggest match of the season, as a win for the Reds puts them nine clear of the champions in the table.
The Reds are the only unbeaten side left in the Premier League, and Pep Guardiola is going to need the best from all his men across the pitch.
One position in which this match could be won or lost for City is the full-back slots. The players in this area of the pitch have varied in form and effectiveness in both attack and defence. So far, Guardiola has altered the full-back spots with Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo at right-back, and Angelino and Benjamin Mendy at left-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence.
Walker came back in for Joao Cancelo over the weekend and underlined his credentials as a potent attacking weapon in the second half. His goal and assist earned all three points for City, however, his defensive capabilities could be a huge worry against Sadio Mane.
As for Cancelo, he has certainly been more of a defensive unit. The former Juventus man has averaged 2.4 tackles in the league so far. The Englishman has, however, averaged only 0.6 tackles per game and at the same time, averaged one foul per league match.
Guardiola will have to make a decision whether to go with more of an attack-minded plan with Walker or try and stop Mane with Cancelo’s defensive expertise.
The same applies to Mendy on the other side, who has averaged even less with 0.3 tackles, which is a worry against the threat of Mohamed Salah.
There is then the chance Angelino could play but the Spaniard lacks a lot of experience. The left-back has just eight appearances for City, which would surely have Salah licking his lips at the prospect of getting at the 22-year-old.
With Zinchenko out injured, it is such a tough decision to make for Guardiola and one that could win or lose the game. Does he go with a defensively suspect player in Mendy or is the City boss confident in Angelino, despite his lack of game time?
Either way, both Mane and Salah will get at them, and both of City’s full-backs will need to be at their immense best to nullify their collective threat.