原本被认为是棋逢对手的较量，最终却呈现出一边倒的局面。利物浦在主场击败曼城，不仅将对手推向了7场不胜的深渊，也朝着英超王座大踏步前进。在面对士气低落的卫冕冠军时，利物浦放弃了近期以防守为先的战术思路，恢复了昔日高位压迫结合长传疾攻的招牌打法。球员们根据比赛形势灵活调整阵型，并凭借核心球员出色的传射能力锁定胜局。
红军进退自如，斯洛特“晃倒”瓜迪奥拉
自2022/23赛季以来，利物浦在进攻三区夺回球权次数明显下降。克洛普试图通过这一策略来规避锋线伤病，为冲击型锋卫组合创造更多空间。而新任教练斯洛特延续了一种节能减排式防守理念，由范迪克与赫拉芬贝赫联手撑起后防线。此外，萨拉赫和加克波频繁回撤到底线，这一变化令人印象深刻。
过去12轮比赛中，利物浦后防平均站位靠后，而曼城则表现得更加激进。在周中的欧冠赛事中，对皇马时他们踢得相当谨慎，因此瓜迪奥拉选择搁置边锋，以多名中场组成无翼首发，希望能够在客场掌控球权。然而，他对此判断过于乐观，使得后来曼城遭遇到强烈压力而无法反制。
格拉利什、多库和萨维尼奥等边锋全都坐上替补席，与哈兰德、福登搭档的是四名中场选手。这次人员上的重大变动使得球队整体失去了往日应有的一致性，而这也让他们陷入困境。同时，在攻击端进行调整后的利物浦，则利用三名前景灵活的位置优越感展开抢攻，更好地适应主场作战需求。
用重金属流冲垮对手,找回昔日荣光
Mainly in the first 20 minutes of the match, Liverpool surrendered possession 16 times and faced eight shots from Manchester City. They直到半場末段（39’）才完成第一脚射门……这种陌生且被动状态对于瓜迪奥拉来说从未经历过，其辛苦建立起来的重要四人 midfield体系完全被Liverpool 的高位逼抢摧毁.
Kai Gundogan 和 Rico Lewis 在位置上的艰难挣扎，加之阿坎吉频繁失误，让City 中央区域成为一个吞噬控制权的大黑洞。他们根本没有办法找到可靠的方法去打破Liverpool 强大的阻挡力，同时随着Luis Diaz 替换Nunez 上岗之后，他们逐渐收复丢掉的位置，全队配合默契迅速发动快攻，将Manchester City 打乱调度.
Salah's Role as an Attacking Creator Shines Through
The season of 2023/24 saw Liverpool score ten less goals than Manchester City but create a whopping fifty-three more chances. The attacking players' wastefulness was glaring after Jota’s injury led Slot to increase playing time for Gakpo and Jones while providing Luis Diaz with opportunities closer to goal...
Liverpool's Confidence Built on Solid Defense
"After breaking deadlock," said Klopp about his team's performance "we continued our high pressing strategy..." While moments were missed by both Gakpo and Salah...the team transitioned into half-court defense mode preparing for subsequent counter-pressing attempts."This strategic shift allowed them not only maintain composure but also build their defensive confidence leading up to this point....a stark contrast compared against Arsenal & Brighton where they conceded five goals over three matches!
